Police gun down 3 IPOB members in Ebonyi

Three militant members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were on Friday killed during a gun battle with operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command.

Also, five members of the group were arrested with weapons they reportedly used for operations.

These include: One AK47 rifle with 16 rounds of live ammunition, a bag containing 2,000 rounds of live ammunition.

Also, a police warrant card, an identity card with a picture of Nnamdi Kanu, a portrait of an unidentified person, One Itel phone and a motorcycle were among the items recovered from them.

The deceased and those arrested were said to be members of the militant wing of IPOB popularly known as Eastern security network (ESN), responsible for the killings of police officers in the state recently.

The operation was successful following the police prompt response on intelligence.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, made this known to journalists on Thursday in Abakiliki, the state capital.

He said, “The Ebonyi State Police  Command, Abakiliki, acting on credible intelligence in a joint operation with sister security agencies on 21st March, 2024 stormed an IPOB/ESN hideout in a forest within Omini community in Izzi LGA of Ebonyi State.

“The hoodlums on sighting the operatives opened fire on them. In the ensuing gun duel, three members of the proscribed group were neutralized, 5 were arrested while others escaped.

“Items recovered from the hideout of the hoodlums were 3 Sienna vehicles snatched from different individuals and used by the hoodlums to perpetrate heinous crimes.

“Also other exhibits recovered at the den indicate that the gang was responsible for the recent attacks and killing of police officers within the state.

“Another exhibits recovered in the course of the operation include; one (1) AK47 rifle with sixteen (16) rounds of live ammunition, a bag containing two thousand (2,000) rounds of live ammunition, A Police Warrant Card, an Identity Card with a picture Of Nnamdi Kanu, a portrait of an unidentified person, One (1) Itel phone and

One (1) motorcycle.

“The Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State Command, CP Augustina Ogbodo, commended the officers involved in the operation for their gallantry while she assured residents of the state that the command will not relent in its fight against crime, and commitment to the protection of lives and properties in Ebonyi State.”

In the last four months, Daily Trust learnt that not less than eight policemen have been killed in the area.