The Imo State Police Command has announced the successful dismantling of a criminal hideout, a crucial step in the pursuit of those responsible for the recent abduction of road safety officer Sabinus Ugwuebu and former Eze Imo, HRH Eze Samuel Ohiri, who were taken from different locations in Imo state a few days ago.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 9, the state’s police spokesman, Henry Okoye, announced that a joint operation between the police and military was successful.
According to him, they raided a suspected hideout believed to be an IPOB/ESN camp at Ihite Owerre in Orlu Local Government Area around 3:30 am on January 9, engaging in a gun battle. Following an extended exchange of gunfire with the alleged IPOB/ESN members, an unidentified suspect was captured, while others managed to escape with gunshot injuries.
He said: “The arrested suspect, who is believed to be a member of the ESN terrorist group may lead to where the kidnapped victims are.”
“On searching the camp, we recovered road safety uniforms of the kidnapped officer, Sabinus Ugwuebu.”
He mentioned the retrieval of various items, such as a pump-action gun, two double-barrel guns, two single-barrel guns, 54 live cartridges, military uniforms, six motorcycles, and a box with locally made explosives.
“A concerted investigative effort is in progress to arrest the fleeing suspects and possibly rescue the kidnapped victims,” he said.
He added that the Command would continue to work closely with the Military and other relevant security agencies towards stamping out all forms of crime and criminality in the State.
