Nigerian security forces carried out a joint operation in Imo State, less than three weeks after some public facilities were allegedly attacked by IPOB’s Eastern Security Network (ESN).
ESN, the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is suspected to have masterminded a series of attacks on public institutions and security forces.
Prominent among the attacks were the breach of the Police headquarters in Imo and the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Owerri on April 5, 2021.
It was gathered that a combined team of operatives drawn from the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Army and Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the operational headquarters of ESN in Awomama Village Oru East LGA of Imo on Saturday.
An intelligence officer told PRNigeria that the group’s fighters opened fire as security forces approached their hideout.
“In a clinical response, the joint security forces fought back gallantly. The forces eventually neutralized the overall commander of the insurgents in the Southeast popularly known as Ikonso and six other armed fighters.
“Ikonso is the Vice President designate as well as the coordinator of all the militia operations of the group. He was the mastermind of the attack on the Imo Police Headquarters and several other attacks on security and military personnel and facilities.
“The operation is part of deliberate effort by the Police and other security forces to quell the activities of insurgents in Imo State and other states of the South East and South South region of the country,” the source said.
After the battle, the remains of Ikonso and others killed were recovered. Six AK47 rifles, hundreds of ammunition of different calibre, bulletproof charms, among others, were found.
Three policemen and one army officer were injured in the operation and are hospitalised.
