The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Olukayode Egbetokun, has given a marching order to the tactical operatives, Imo State Command, to fish out killers of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahiazu Mbaise, SP Magnus Abalu and Inspector Nwanchor Ikechukwu.
He gave the order in Abuja during a meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Mr Danjuma Aboki. The CP was in Abuja to brief the IGP on the activities of his command and the security challenges in the state.
He said: “I have briefed the IGP on how Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) killed unwanted Eastern Security Network/IPOB second-in-command, aka Ebube Virus. We also arrested 18 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists in their hideouts. in Obiangwu and Logara forests in Ngor-Okpala Local Government.
“On December 6, 2023, the squad invaded IPOB/ESN at Obiangwu/Logara forest in Ngor-Okpala. In a gun duel that ensued, 16 suspects were arrested. We recovered AK47 rifles loaded with 22 rounds of live ammunition, one cut to size double barrel gun, four locally made pistols, three rounds of live cartridges, one improvised Explosive Device (IED), one POS machine, one army camouflage T-shirt and various denomination of Biafran currency.
“My mission is to entrench community policing and smoke hoodlums out of the state. I want to sanitise the police, train and retrain officers on how to conduct themselves in public. The command would remain committed to restoring confidence in police operation and building healthy partnership and relationship with the citizens.
“The command has taken measures in safeguarding the life and property particularly during the Yuletide period. I have tasked officers, area commanders, DPOs and the tactical team to sustain optimum security ahead of Yuletide.
“There will be continuous monitoring and evaluation of the deployed strategic areas. I went to address public and the market trader at Alaba International Market in Owerri, Douglas Road Market, Owerri, to build their confidence in police. We are there to protect their lives and properties.
“We are determined to checkmate criminals including armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists. The ‘ember’ months will be too hot for hoodlums to operate. I have redeployed operatives of Police Tactical Team (PTT), to the flashpoints.
“Commander, AKS, Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa and his team raided hoodlums’ hideous in Orlu and Mbanise. They arrested suspected kidnappers and armed robbers who confessed to the crime. The squad operatives also arrested suspected kidnappers in Okigwe.”