Posted by The Imo State Police Command reported the arrest of 26 sit-at-home enforcers suspected of belonging to the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The suspects, who were detained on Wednesday, were accused of shooting and attacking individuals who were celebrating a birthday in a hotel near Irete at random.
After civic-minded residents reported seeing IPOB members in a hotel (name withheld) at Catering bus stop, Free Zone, Irete, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmed Barde, told journalists in Owerri that operatives of the command’s tactical team, working in collaboration with operatives of the 18 Police Mobile Force, were quickly mobilised to the scene.
“Unfortunately, a lifeless body was later identified as Remigius Emeka Njoku, a relative of the celebrant, lying on the floor in his pool of blood,” Barde stated. The outlawed IPOB and ESN unlawful sit-at-home enforcers opened fire on sighting police operatives immediately, but they were overwhelmed by the police’s dexterity, stiff resistance, and superior firepower, forcing them to flee to the adjoining bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.”
“On combing the hotel and nearby bush, traces of blood were seen, which suggested that some of these terrorists were hit,” he added.
“One AK-47 rifle, 48 rounds of live ammunition, four pump-action guns, 18 rounds of live cartridges, two AK-47 magazines, and a face mask were recovered during the search around the hotel.” A total of 26 individuals were apprehended; they are still being thoroughly screened.”
The police chief went on to say that the “investigation is ongoing,” and that “certainly the suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of a diligent investigation.”