The police command in Imo says it has arrested a suspected member of  the  Eastern Security Network (ESN), Simeon Onigbo, 50, alleged to be manufacturing bombs for the group.

A police statement quoted police commissioner Mohammed Barde to have said the suspect confessed to the crime and promised to reveal the hideouts of the terror group.

The police accused Mr Onigbo of producing the locally-made bombs used in attacking police divisions and other government facilities in Imo.

According to the statement, on April 20,  the command received credible intelligence on the hideout where alleged ESN members were  manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used in attacking police stations and government facilities in Imo.

The police commissioner added that the force operatives immediately mobilised to the hideout, located at Uba Umuaka in Njaba LGA of Imo and raided the camp.

“In the course of the raid, one Simeon Onigbo, aged 50, was arrested. The suspect admitted being the manufacturer of most of the (IEDs) used in attacking police stations in and outside the state,” stated Mr Barde.

On searching the hideout, items recovered include one IED, 58 pieces of Cannon steel pipe, two chisels, one Monday hammer, one bag of potassium nitrate and substances suspected to be  sulphur weighing 30 pounds.”

Other items found were dry sand weighing 40 pounds, red sand weighing 10 pounds, gun powder weighing 30 pounds, spa half bag of charcoal, 30 pieces of  electronic motorcycle batteries and seven lengths of eight millimeters iron rods.

The police commissioner added that the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD) had taken over the recovered bomb for technical analysis and detonation.

He said investigation was ongoing, adding that the suspect had made useful statement and also mentioned members of his gangs outside the state who patronise him. 
(NAN)