Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Kill Two, Recover Firearm

The Police Command in Enugu State has neutralized two suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) in a raid on criminal hideouts in the Akwuke axis of Enugu metropolis.

During the raid, Police operatives were resisted by the hoodlums who opened fire upon sighting the security team. 

However, in the exchange of fire, they were subdued by the Police’s superior firepower, leading to the neutralisation of two of the bad boys.

A statement on Sunday by the Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said their personnel conducted the raid on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at about 2:30 am.

He said in the process,  some members of the outlawed organization escaped with various gunshot wounds, adding that items recovered during the raid include one AK-47 rifle, one Sub-Machine Gun (SMG), and one stainless Pump-Action Gun (PAG).

According to him, others items recovered after the raid and gun duel are 27 live and 23 expended rounds of 7.62 mm calibre ammunition.

DSP Ndukwe said the Police also recovered five live cartridges and a small blue-coloured Gideon New Testament Bible probably used to conceal objects suspected to be charms.

The Command PRO further said in the statement; “In pursuance of the proactive/crime prevention strategies devised by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, police operatives of Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad carried out an intelligence-guided raid of a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout in Akwuke community in Enugu metropolis.

“A preliminary investigation reveals that the breech number of the recovered AK-47 was wiped off.

“The criminal elements are responsible for several attacks and carting away of police officers rifles, as the rifle’s magazine bore the Nigeria Police Force colour. Further discreet investigations are ongoing”. – With NAN report