By Michael Abattam

Sequel to the modified and invigorated strategies emplaced by the Command’s management team under the watch of the Commissioner of Police, Imo Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, psc(+) on assumption of office, with a view to checkmate violent crimes and criminality in the State.

In line with Commissioner of Police strategy in stemming down crime, the Command’s Tactical Teams following credible intelligence received on 20/4/2022 at about 1700hours, revealing the hideout of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB/Eastern Security Network (ESN), its militia wing, where they are manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices used in attacking Police Stations and Government facilities in the state.

The Police Operatives immediately mobilised to the hideout of the terror group located at Uba Umuaka in Njaba LGA of Imo State and raided the camp.
In the course of the raid, one Simeon Onigbo ‘m’ age 50 years was arrested.

On the spot interrogation, the suspect admitted being the manufacturer of most of the Improvised Explosive Devices ( I.E.Ds) used in attacking police stations in the State and outside the State.

On searching the criminal hideouts items recovered includes the following: One already prepared Improvised Explosive Devices, Fifty eight pieces of Cannon Steel Pipe, Two Chisels, One Monday Hammer one and a half bag of Potassium Nitrate, thirty Pounds Weight of Sulphur, Fourty Pounds Weight of dry Sand, Ten Pounds Weight of Red Sand, Thirty Pounds Weight of Gun Powder, Half Bag of Charcoal, Thirty Electronic Motorcycle Batteries and Seven Lengths of 8 millimeters Iron Rods. Meanwhile, the Command’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (EOD) has taken over the recovered bomb for technical analysis and subsequently for possible detonation.

However, investigation is ongoing, the suspect has made useful statement and mentioned members of his gangs outside the State who patronise him. Operatives of the Command are not relenting and all efforts are on top gear to arrest the named suspects.

The Commissioner of Police, Imo Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, psc(+) who is poised in ensuring that terrorism and other violent crimes are brought to its barest minimum in the state, commended the officers and men for their gallantry and proactiveness.

He then, enjoined Imolites to continue to support the Police and other Security Agencies with credible and timely information that will assist the Command tremendously in fighting crimes to a stand still in the State.

@views exclusive rights: CSP MICHEAL ABATTAM, POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, FOR: THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, IMO STATE COMMAND, April 22, 2022.