Police kill five IPOB, ESN members in Anambra, recover rocket launchers, AK47 rifles, charms

The Anambra State Police Operatives, have neutralized five criminal suspects allegedly belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, disclosed this at a press conference on Wednesday night.

The CP said, “By 3 pm (Wednesday) joint security forces in a village, Akwaihedi, Nnewi south, a border town between Imo and Anambra State accosted a deadly gang of five operating on motorbikes suspected to be members of proscribed Indigenous People of Brafia (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) who were en route to Anambra for a planned attack/operation.

“The operatives engaged the assailants, neutralized five of the gang members, and recovered two rocket launchers, four Ak47 rifles, one automatic pump action, four magazines, eight live ammunition, police berets, charms and other incriminating items.”

Narrating the achievements of the police in the state, Echeng said the battle against insurgents in Anambra State was focused and it would remain sustained until such a time security stability would be fully restored in the state.

He said, “There were some major positive developments today 10/5/2023, following so much credible information to the Police Command from the residents of Anambra, we have identified some of their criminal hideouts/camps.

“The Police operatives attached to Rapid Response Squad, Akwuzu in the earlier hours of today while in an attempt to rescue two of the kidnapped Victims stormed into a camp at ifite, Ogbunike, Oyi LGA, neutralized two of the armed men, recovered a black Lexus SUV with a lot of security uniforms which comprises of Police and military.

“We want to state categorically that the synergy of police, military, other security agencies and vigilantes has helped immensely in the tackle and fight against the insurgents in the state. For us today, this is a big positive one that happen to avert a major planned attack in the State.

“I urge everyone to cue in and continue to support the security agencies and the State government to bring security stability to the state. Kudos to all the security agencies who have been in constant onslaught against these criminal elements in the state.