Police operatives from the Imo State Police Command have successfully neutralized six members of the IPOB/ESN terrorist group, including three sought-after kingpins, during a raid on their hideout.
According to a statement from Force Headquarters, the operation is part of the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, resulting in the elimination of three notorious ESN leaders.
The raid, carried out on January 24, 2025, followed credible intelligence and targeted the dismantling of terrorist camps.
The statement read “On January 24, 2025, operatives from the Command’s tactical unit launched a coordinated operation based on reliable intelligence to locate and dismantle the terrorists’ hideouts. The police successfully located the group’s hideout in a forested area within Ihube, Okigwe LGA. Upon approach, the operatives came under intense fire from the terrorists but exhibited exceptional bravery, engaging in a fierce gun battle.”
The operation resulted in the death of six terrorists, including three key ESN leaders identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21), all from Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe LGA.
A variety of weapons and equipment were seized during the raid, including five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), communication tools, and eight motorcycles used by the group.
Investigations had previously linked the group to numerous high-profile crimes, including the April 5, 2021, attack on the Owerri Correctional Center, the December 12, 2022, killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, and the February 8, 2022, arson of the Arondizuogu Police Station.
The group was also responsible for several kidnappings, including the abduction of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, praised the bravery and coordination of the police operatives.
He urged police officers across all commands to maintain their efforts and carry out the Force’s action plan aimed at significantly reducing crime in the first quarter of 2025.
The IGP reassured the public of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring national security and public safety, and called on citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with the police to promote peace and safety in their communities.
