BY JENNIFER JOHN / OWERRI
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Police in Owerri, Imo State at the weekend, paraded suspects arrested in connection with the killing of the Divisional Police Officer of Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area, an Inspector of Police and other high profile killings in the Mbaise axis of the State.
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Parading the suspects before newsmen, Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Aboki Danjuma disclosed that unwavering dedication and persistent efforts of the courageous operatives to unearth the perpetrators of the heinous crimes yielded results.
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Danjuma said that the efforts of his men led to the arrest of 25 male suspects in connection with the various criminal cases ranging from IPOB/ESN Terrorism Activities, Armed Robbery, Murder, Stealing/Receiving Stolen Properties, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
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The state police boss said, “in the course of investigating the cases, a total of 20 Assault Rifles, including, 5 AK 47 rifles, 6 Pump Action guns, 9 locally made pistol, one Beretta pistol and a total of 359 rounds of various calibers of Ammunitions, were recovered from them.”
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“Also recovered from these suspects include; six vehicles, three motorcycles, Charms, IPOB/ESN vest/insignia, Military camouflage, police vests and other incriminating items.
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Giving insight into the operation that led to the busting of the camps of IPOB/ESN terrorists, allegedly involved in the murder of the DPO and others in Mbaise, the Police Commissioner narrated:
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“Following the murder of DPO Ahiazu Mbaise and an Inspector of Police on 27/11/2023, at Ahiara junction in Ahiazu Mbaise by disgruntled elements suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed militia wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the subsequent confessions of suspects arrested at the scene by Police operatives in synergy with the Military, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping unit on 29/11/2023 stormed the camp of the criminal syndicate at Umuohie in Ngor Okpala LGA of Imo State, dislodged the terrorists, recovered two automatic pump action riffles and six rounds of life cartridges.
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“The determined operatives continued their operation in search of the fleeing terrorists, storming Igbodo-Etche in Rivers State, through a Technical Intelligence Tracking Device wherein a native doctor named Everest Agbaragam ‘m’, 62 yrs, of Umuoma, Igbodo, Etche Rivers State AKA Mount Everest was arrested.
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“On searching his shrine, one pump action gun loaded with 12 rounds of live cartridges, one big bag containing various denominations of Biafran currencies, one live crocodile, and fetish items were recovered.
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“On interrogation, he confessed to being a member of IPOB/ESN. He stated that he usually prepares local bulletproof charms popular known as ‘Odeshi’ for his cohorts before they embark on any operation. He provided useful information to the gallant operatives in storming Umuogwu Forest in Aboh Mbaise LGA on 1/12/23.
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“The terrorists on sighting the Police, engaged them in a gun battle, but were subdued by the combat-ready operatives who professionally maneuvered into vintage positions and returned fire. In the ensuing gun duel, some of them were neutralized, while others escaped into the tick forest with bullet wounds.
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“The terrorist camp was dislodged and the following exhibits were recovered; Five (5) AK-47 riffles, Six (6) magazines containing two hundred and twenty (220) live ammunition, Six (6) pump action guns, One hundred and twenty-one (121) rounds of live cartridges, One Revolver, Four locally made pistols, Three Toyota Venza Cars, including the one they used in attacking the DPO, One Toyota Highlander SUV, and IEDs.
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“An intense manhunt is ongoing to track down other fleeing suspects. They will be arraigned in court upon completion of a comprehensive investigation.
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