How Killers of Imo DPO Were Arrested – CP
In a significant breakthrough, the Imo State Police Command announced on Sunday that it had successfully apprehended the individuals responsible for the tragic killing of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the state.
The assailants had carried out a deadly attack at Ahiara last Monday, resulting in the deaths of the DPO, an Inspector of police, and a civilian.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the command headquarters, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Danjuma Aboki, shared details of the successful operation carried out by the command’s operatives.
The Commissioner stated, “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 and its armed militia, Eastern Security Network, and the subsequent confessions of suspects arrested at the scene by police operatives in synergy with the military…”
He continued, “Operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit on 29/11/2023 stormed the camp of the criminal syndicate at Umuohie in the Ngor Okpala LGA of Imo State, dislodged the terrorists, recovered two automatic pump-action rifles and six rounds of live cartridges.”
The operation extended to Igbodo-Etche in Rivers State, where a native doctor, identified as Everest Agbaragam, was apprehended. The Commissioner detailed, “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.“
Agbaragam confessed to being a member of IPOB/ESN and provided crucial information leading to the storming of Umuogwu Forest in the Aboh Mbaise LGA on 1/12/23. The ensuing gun battle resulted in the neutralization of some terrorists, while others escaped with injuries.
The dislodged terrorist camp yielded a significant haul of weapons and exhibits, including AK-47 rifles, magazines, live ammunition, pump-action guns, locally-made pistols, vehicles, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Commissioner Aboki assured that an intensive manhunt is underway to apprehend other fleeing suspects, and upon completion of a comprehensive investigation, they will be brought to justice in court.
Emphasizing the commitment of the state police command to ensure maximum security, Commissioner Aboki stated that the state has been relatively peaceful under his leadership.
[…] The police minister added: “Those people … some of them were hired. Some of those people were close associates.” […]