The police command in Imo has announced the arrest of 15 suspected members of Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The spokesman for the command, ASP Henry Okoye, said in a statement issued in Owerri on Friday that the arrest came after confessions by some members of the group earlier arrested by the command’s anti-kidnapping squad.

In the follow-up operation, the squad led by CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa arrested the 15 suspects at their hideouts in Obiangwu and Logara forests in Ngor-Okpala LGA.

According to him, an AK-47 rifle loaded with 21 rounds of live ammunition, charms, one cut-to-size double barrel shotgun, four locally made shotguns, three rounds of live ammunition and illicit drugs and substances were recovered from the suspects.

“One militia camouflage T-shirt, one improvised explosive device, one guinea fowl with fetish items on it, one POS machine used in extorting money from their victims and various denominations of Biafra currency were equally recovered.

“The suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of a comprehensive investigation,” said Mr Okoye.

The command’s spokesman reiterated the pledge of police commissioner Aboki Danjuma to ensure adequate security during the yuletide and intensify the clamp down on subversive and unrepentant criminals across the state.

Mr Okoye urged the public to support the police with timely and actionable information through 08034773600 and 08098880197 to stem crimes across Imo. 

(NAN)