The Imo State Police Command repelled an attack by the members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), resulting in the death of one suspect.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, shared details with journalists while displaying the deceased suspect’s body and recovered items at the command’s headquarters in Owerri.

According to the police, “On October 29, 2024, around 6:30 PM, the Counter Terrorism Unit successfully thwarted an assault by suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists during a routine patrol on the Owerri/Aba Road, near Owerri Airport. Approximately ten assailants launched the attack from two vehicles but were repelled. In the confrontation, one suspect was neutralized, while others fled with injuries, abandoning their operational vehicle—a Mercedes Jeep with Lagos registration number AAA 101 GR.”

The police recovered an AK-47 rifle, fifteen rounds of 9.62mm ammunition, an IPOB/ESN flag, and the abandoned vehicle. Ongoing operations are underway to locate the remaining suspects, including searches of nearby areas.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, urged the public to report anyone seeking medical treatment for gunshot wounds, emphasizing the Command’s commitment to public safety. Reports can be made to the police or via the hotline 0803 477 3600.