One officer was reportedly killed in a gun fight between the
police and suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in
Akata, Oru East LGA of Imo state.
Michael Abattam, police spokesperson in Imo, confirmed the
development in a statement on Friday.
Abattam said officers raided the camp of the IPOB members
following an intelligence report that the group was planning to carry out an
attack.
He said the head of the group and several members were
killed.
The police spokesperson said three improvised explosive
devices (IED, two pump-action guns, nine cartridges, one locally-made pistol
and one Toyota Highlander SUV were recovered from them.
“Sequel to credible information by the command’s
intelligence unit, revealing that some bandits suspected to be IPOB/ESN terror
groups were seen mobilising to attack police formations and government
installations in the state from their camp located at Akata in Oru East LGA of
Imo State,” the statement reads.
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command immediately,
dispatched the command’s Special Forces and tactical teams led by the officer
in charge of Operation Restore Peace, ACP EVANS E. SHEM to go and dislodged the
bandits as a proactive measure to nip their planned attack in the bud.
“On approaching the terror camp, the teams were attacked by
the terror groups. Save for the Armoured Personnel Carriers and sophisticated
weapons used by the police the bandits were overwhelmed and they scampered for
safety into the bush. The head of the group and others were neutralized during
the attack”.
“On their way back unknown to police teams that the bandits
have reinforced and regrouped laying ambush using palm tree logs to block the
entire exit paths in the bush.
“It was at the fourth blockade that the police teams came
under heavy attack while removing the fourth palm tree log used in blocking the
exit path.
“The bandits threw petrol bombs and Improvised Explosives
Devices (I.E.Ds) at the police vehicles. Again, the tactical teams successfully
dislodged the bandits where several of them were neutralized and others fled
into the bush with bullets injuries. Unfortunately, one of the police Hilux
vehicles was burnt due to the petrol bombs thrown at it.
“Also three police
officers sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to the hospital. One of them
died on the way while the other two are in stable condition undergoing
treatment in a government hospital.
Abattam said officers are “combing the bush for possible
recovery of more arms and improvised explosive devices”.
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