Security operatives in Imo state have killed Ikonso, said to be the Commander and Vice President-designate of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a militia wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
According to reports, a joint team of the Nigerian security agencies in Imo State, engaged the ESN in a fierce gun duel leading to the death of the leader and six other operatives of the ESN.
The joint team of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigerian Army and Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the operational headquarters of ESN located in Awomama Village, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo.
Recall that the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu had alleged that ESN perpetrated the attack on the Police headquarters in Imo State and the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) on April 5, 2021, freeing hundreds of inmates.
The IPOB and ESN have also been alleged to have orchestrated the recent cases of attack on public institutions in the south east.
However, according to an intelligence officer reportedly quoted by PRNigeria, the joint team of the security agencies attacked the base of ESN in a bid to neutralize their strength.
According to the report, the ESN operatives also opened fire as security forces approached their hideout.
However, the joint team were able to repel the attacks as Ikonso and others were killed. Also, six AK47 rifles, hundreds of ammunition of different caliber, bulletproof charms, among others, were recovered from the group.
Meanwhile, three policemen and one army officer reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries during the operation.
The intelligence source was quoted as saying, “In a clinical response, the joint security forces fought back gallantly. The forces eventually neutralized the overall commander of the insurgents in the Southeast popularly known as Ikonso Commander and six other armed fighters.
“Ikonso is the Vice President designate as well as the coordinator of all the militia operations of the group. He was the mastermind of the attack on the Imo Police Headquarters and several other attacks on security and military personnel and facilities.
“The operation is part of deliberate effort by the Police and other security forces to quel the activities of insurgents in Imo State and other States of the South East and South South region of the country,” the source said.
