The Imo State Police Command has disclosed that operatives from the Counter-Terrorism Unit were able to thwart an attack allegedly initiated by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
The command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, in a statement on Tuesday, said the confrontation occurred during a regular patrol along the Owerri/Aba Road, near the vicinity of the Owerri Airport.
Okoye said, “Yesterday, operatives from the command’s Counter-Terrorism Unit repelled an attack by suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists during a routine patrol along the Owerri/Aba Road, near Owerri Airport.”
The attackers, a group of around ten individuals, approached in two separate vehicles and launched a fierce assault on the officers.
The police spokesperson said after a heated exchange of gunfire, one suspect was neutralised and the remaining assailants fled the scene with injuries.
“They left behind a key operational vehicle—a Mercedes Jeep, ash in color, bearing Lagos State registration number AAA 101 GR.
“In the aftermath, no casualties or injuries were reported among the police operatives. During a sweep of the area, authorities recovered an AK-47 rifle, 15 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, an IPOB/ESN flag, and the abandoned vehicle,” he added.
Okoye explained that officers are currently searching the nearby wooded areas to track down the rest of the suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, encouraged civilians, particularly medical professionals, to report any persons found with gunshot wounds to the nearest police station.
“The command remains committed to ensuring the safety of all citizens and will continue to address any threats to public peace in the state,” the statement added.
