The Imo state Police Command has arrested 18 suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), including two accomplices, and recovered arms, ammunition and other exhibits in Oguta Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement quoted by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, on Thursday, the arrests followed the routine dislodgement of terrorist camps in Umuaka, Njaba LGA, and Ezioha, Mbaitoli LGA, on Wednesday, which forced fleeing kingpins into hiding in Agwa, Oguta LGA.
The statement added that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit trailed the suspects to Obudi and Ubah communities in Agwa, where 18 suspects were arrested.
The suspects are Okeabia Onyiyechi, 38; Ndukwe Ebube, 19; Mmadubueze Promise, 20; Raphael Echefu, 19; Ibaku Chigemezu, 19; Chika Augustine, 22; Ibuku Pascal, 22; Mbojisochukwu Odueze, 18; Obioma Emenyionu, 21; Christopher Ugonna, 28; Ozioma Onwatugws, 17.
Others include Mathew Chibuenyi, 16; Orusakwe Favour, 19; Uzochi Nkiruka, 45; Uzochi Adaeze, 20; Akubuome Chialuka, 20; Ibuaku Caroline, 50; and Godwin Okechukwu Uzochi, 22, all from Oguta LGA and its environs.
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Items recovered from the suspects included one AK-47 rifle, three AK-47 magazines, one pump action gun, 90 rounds of live cartridges, two Biafra flags, and various criminal charms.
According to report, two suspects sustained gunshot injuries during the raid and are undergoing treatment at the Police Clinic.
Some of the arrested suspects confessed to several killings within the state, while others were identified in viral videos with terrorist commanders.
“The command is intensifying efforts to track down other fleeing terrorist kingpins, many of whom escaped with bullet wounds during the encounter,”the sources said.