By Peter Okolie
Police working with local vigilantes have arrested three suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and recovered the sum of N10.3 million in a raid on their hideout on Cameron Street, Ubahu, in Okigwe Local Government Area. Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo state.
Spokesperson for Imo Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement issued in Owerri on Friday.
Okoye said one AK-47 riffle, two pump-action guns, 18 live cartridges, mobile devices and laptops were also recovered from the hideout after a gun battle which resulted in arrest of the three IPOB members.
According to him, the raid on the hideout followed “sustained operational momentum against criminal elements threatening public safety in the state.”
“On April 17, 2025, at about 0120hrs, operatives of the command’s Tactical Teams, in synergy with local vigilante groups, acted on credible intelligence and stormed a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout on Cameron Street, Ubahu, in Okigwe Local Government Area.
“On sighting the operatives, the suspects opened fire, resulting in a gun battle during which three suspects were arrested,” he said.
Okoye said that the suspects ages were: 21, 31 and 37, noting that two others escaped into the surrounding bushes.
The spokesman said one AK-47 riffle, two pump-action guns, 18 live cartridges, mobile devices, laptops, and N10.3 million cash were recovered from the scene.
“Investigations revealed that the money was contributed by IPOB members to finance terrorism,” he said.
With Easter celebrations in the horizon, Okoye assured Imo residents of robust security across the state.
Okoye further noted that the command in collaboration with sister agencies, patrol, surveillance, and checkpoints has been intensified to ensure a safe and peaceful celebrations.
He urged residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via 08034773600.
(NAN)
