One suspected operative of the Indigenous People of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) was killed in a bust on their camp on Thursday, police spokesman Chris Anyanwu disclosed on Friday.

Mr Anyanwu put out a statement to journalists in Abakaliki stating that the operation was carried out by the tactical team of the Ebonyi police command, led by SP Jerry Maigorosom.

He said that the camp was located at Oriuzor Village in Ezza North Local Government Area (LGA).

“At about 1435hrs of June 30, the tactical team of the command stormed the camp of suspected IPOB adherents at Oriuzor Village through credible intelligence at the disposal of the command,” a part of the statement said.

Mr Anyanwu said the IPOB members opened fire on the police team upon sighting them and fire was returned.

In the ensuing shootout, “one of the hoodlums, identified as Elijah, was fatally wounded, while six others escaped with gunshot injuries.

“Fortunately, one of them, Chibundu Ali, 18, a native of Ezzama, Ezza East Development Centre was arrested and taken into custody.

“He is being interrogated to unravel the identity of other fleeing suspects,” Mr Anyanwu stated.

The police image maker added that the camp was ransacked and destroyed and some items recovered.

According to the statement, the items included one cut-to-size AK47 rifle with a few rounds of its live ammunition.

Others were a locally-fabricated revolver pistol and expanded ammunition shells, amongst others.

The police alleged that the items were stolen during an attack on a Divisional Police Station in Ezza South LGA.

It added that operatives attached to the Ohaozara Divisional Station also nabbed an armed robbery syndicate, which allegedly specialised in snatching of vehicles and motorcycles from Enugu and other neighboring states.

Three suspects, including a lady and Ebube Agu personnel, were rounded up at Uburu in Ohaozara LGA, while negotiating the sale of one of the stolen motorcycles.

(NAN)