Police neutralize 3 IPOB gunmen, release emergency hotlines

By Stanley Nwanosike

Police have neutralized three gunmen, while others escaped with severe bullet wounds after a gun duel with the criminals in Imufu community within Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The feat was achieved by a combined team of police special forces and police operatives serving in Igbo-Eze North Police Division of Enugu State Command, in the morning hours of Aug. 10.

Items recovered from the criminals included, four pump action guns, one locally fabricated revolver gun and pistol, each with 67 live cartridges, military camouflage uniforms, fabrics of IPOB insignia, objects suspected to be amulets and others.

How it happened

The combined team in the early hours of Aug. 10 raided a IPOB/ESN camp, at Imufu in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area and the team engaged in a gun duel with the criminals.

Three of the criminals were neutralized in the ensuing gunfight, while many others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the criminals were responsible for the shooting and killing of two Neighborhood Watch Group security personnel on July 21 at about 1a.m., at Umuagama in Enugu-Ezike community.

The criminals also made several attempts to enforce the illegal sit-at-home order in some parts of the council area recently.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Ammani, however, reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Police to weed out unrepentant criminals in the state.

The commissioner also lauded the police operatives for successfully executing the operation, while tasking them and others to remain firm, resilient and maintain the tempo.

The CP further solicited the continued support of citizens, while urging residents of Igbo-Eze North council area and owners of medical facilities in particular, to promptly report individuals sighted with gunshot wounds to the nearest police station.

“Residents should call the command’s emergency hotlines on 08032003702, 08075380883, 08086671202 or 08098880172, or send emails to [email protected],” the CP stated.