According to reports, the suspects were intercepted with two AK-47 rifles with 150 live ammunition, fake police and army uniforms, two cell phones, two bulletproof vests, two walkie-talkies, one black Prado Jeep with registration number: GWA – 696 CM ABUJA, one ash Lexus 350 with registration number: EKY – 605GV LAGOS, among others.
When the police officers on duty tried to flag down the suspects, they refused to stop and started shooting sporadically in an attempt to escape police screening. However, the police officers were able to overpower them and make the arrests.
The suspects were identified as Chinonso Offor, a native of Enugu State resident in Ekwulọbịa, Hycent Ugwuike, a native of Nsukka resident in Onitsha and Samuel Sunday from Akwa-Ibom but resident in Isuochi, Abia State.
“While other gang members escaped the scene, the suspects now in custody, confessed to being members of the outlawed ESN/IPOB groups and mentioned the various camps/criminal hideouts where they operate. Efforts are already on top gear to arrest other fleeing gang members,” the state Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng, disclosed.
In a related development, the police command also paraded one Emeh Nnamdi Daniel, a 26-year-old youth corps member serving in the police command. He was declared wanted by the command on February 20, 2023, on allegations of unlawful possession of firearms, money laundering, defamation of character, fraud, and impersonation.
“We also want to use this opportunity to let you know the suspect is in custody. The suspect, Nnamdi Emeh, fled the country to the Benin Republic before he was arrested by ‘INTERPOL’ operatives. The suspect also hacked into one of Mr Chibuike Martins Ekwueme’s accounts and fraudulently transferred a total sum of N47 million into 14 different accounts owned by him, Nnamdi E. The case is already before the federal high court,” Echeng stated.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police assured the public of the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order within the state, noting that they would continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. He also urged the public to support the police by providing them with timely information and reporting any suspicious activities in their communities.
It should be noted that IPOB was declared a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian government in 2017. The group has been accused of various criminal activities, including kidnapping, murder, and attacks on government facilities. In addition, the group has been linked to the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a militant wing that has been responsible for several attacks on security personnel and government facilities in the Southeast region of Nigeria.