Sequel to credible information by the command’s intelligence unit, revealing that some bandits suspected to be IPOB/ESN terror groups were seen mobilizing to attack police formations and government installations in the state from their camp located at Akata in Oru East LGA of Imo State. 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 on the bud.
This was contained in a press release signed by the Imo state police public relations officer, CSP Michael Abattam.
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 where overwhelmed and they scampered for safety into the bush. The head of the group and others were neutralized during the attack.
On searching the camp and the surroundings bushes, the following items were recovered namely; Three (3) Improvised Explosives Devices (I.E.D), Two (2) Pump Action Guns, Nine (9) Cartridges, One (1) Locally Made Pistol and One (1) Toyota Highlander SUV vehicle with registration number IMO DFB 535 LC and were taken to the station. 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 vehicle was burnt due to the petrol bombs thrown on 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.
Meanwhile, the tactical teams are presently, combing the bush for possible recovery of more arms and Improvised Explosives Devices.
The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Rabiu Hussaini, psc, while commending the officers and men for their proactiveness, vowed to sustain the operations and arrest all criminals involved in violent crimes in the state especially, as the Command is embarking on a mop-up operations to arrest the remnants of the IPOB/ ESN members terrorizing the state, a feat which has herald peace and tranquility in the state lately. He also called on Imolites to continue to support the police with credible information on the activities of criminal elements seen within their neighbourhoods, believing that together we can make Imo State safe and free from crime and criminality.
