Suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN)/Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) attacked and set ablaze buildings belonging to the Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba.
The incident occurred within the Ubulu-Ihejiofor community in the Oru West Local Government Area of the state around 1:00 am and 2 am on Sunday.
It was gathered that the hoodlums put fire in the building after shooting sporadically in and around the village causing panic and forced villagers to scamper for safety. All properties in the Commissioner’s residence were said to have been destroyed in the fire.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, Chief Emelumba said they broke down the gate and set the house on fire without any hindrance, adding that his gateman managed to escape unhurt.
The house of the Interim Management Committee Chairman of Oru West Local Government Area, Honourable Wille Okoliogwo was also razed down by the gunmen who left with the local government’s ambulance vehicle parked in the chairman’s compound.
In a related development on Sunday, security agents repelled an attack on the Imo State Police Command Headquarters in Owerri and killed one Joseph Uka Nnachi alias King of Dragons, the suspected mastermind of series of attacks on police stations in the state.
Four other attackers were also killed by the security operatives.
In a statement issued by the Imo Police Command Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, the security operatives who repelled the attack comprised of men of the Army, Police Special Forces, and other supporting security agencies.
Mr Elkana explained that the hoodlums who planned to attack the Imo capital at about 06: 15 am, “came in a white hummer bus, wanted to access the Command Headquarters through Works Layout around Alvan Nursery and Primary School Owerri but had a bloody fight with the security forces.
“They were first intercepted by the Military at the outer perimeter cordon provided for the Police. Five hoodlums were killed in action (KIA) including Joseph Uka Nnachi alias King of Dragons.”
The police spokesman noted that one suspect; a 30-year-old Stanley Osinachi who hails from Achi/Mberi, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the southwest state was arrested and is being investigated.
“He confirmed that Dragon is the leader of the gang in Imo State reporting to their supreme leader Nnamdi Kanu. He stated that they belonged to the proscribed IPOB and ESN,” the police statement added.
A Police Inspector, however, sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and is receiving medical attention.
Some of the items recovered from the gang included four AK-47 rifles and 2000 rounds of ammunition and a large number of explosions.
“The rifles breach numbers were crossed checked and found to be the same Police Rifles that were stolen by the hoodlums from our Police station at Omuma on 31st May 2021 which claimed the lives of four Policemen,” it noted.
Other exhibits recovered from the gang are Assualt (AR) Rifle breach N0: 03018058; Assualt (AR) Rifle breach N0: 070007055; Assualt (AR) Rifle breach N0: 5801297; six locally fabricated Explosive Devices; Police beret cap; 7 AK47 Magazines fully loaded; one military cap; one military cardigan (Polo); one silver-coloured minibus with Reg N0: WAM-8673 B ABD and one Hummer Bus with Reg N0: KED-382 X laden with Explosive Devices.
While praising the security officers for their gallantry and resolve to restore sanity to Imo, the Commissioner of Police in the State Abutu Yaro condoled with the families of officers who have died and sustained injuries following attacks by terror gangs in the area.
“They are the real heroes,” the police public relations officer explained. “The Commissioner of Police also extends his gratitude to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc, NPM, FDC for supporting the command with the necessary resources used in combating the deadly gang.”
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