The Imo State Command of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) on Saturday attacked three operational bases of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), arresting some top commanders of the group.
The police, on Saturday stormed the operational bases of the militia wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in a joint operation conducted by the Imo Command’s tactical units, IRT and some other special forces in the early hours of Saturday.
IPOB and ESN have been alleged to have orchestrated several reported cases of attack on public and private institutions in the south east.
Recall that The New Diplomat had reported that a joint team of the Nigerian security agencies in Imo State, had engaged the ESN in a fierce gun duel leading to the death of the leader and six other operatives of the ESN.
Confirming the latest development, Saturday, the Special Adviser on Media to the Imo State Police Commissioner, CSP Mike Abatam, in a statement disclosed that the security operatives attacked the base of ESN in a bid to neutralize their strength.
The three camps are located in Atta in Ikeduru, Izombie in Oguta and Ideato North local government areas of Imo State.
According to the statement, some of the operatives of the ESN escaped through the forest after being overpowered by the operatives during a gun duel.
Abatam also disclosed that some items including sophisticated weapons, charms, hard drugs were recovered from the camp.
The statement reads in part, “Due to the superior firepower of the Police, the hoodlums were overrun by the tactical units while some of the hoodlums escaped with bullets wounds into the forest.
“Several weapons, stolen cars, explosives, gun powders, charms, lPOB/ESN flags, ammunitions, bags of Indian Hemps, tramadol tablets and many other hard drugs were recovered”.
