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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
The police in Delta State on Monday killed a suspected member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) during a gun battle in Illah, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.
Other members of the gang who were said to have attacked the police patrol team escaped into the bush with bullet wounds.
Commissioner of Police Mr Ari Mohammed Ali who confirmed the development said his men gallantly repelled the attack by the armed men.
Ali said one AK-47, suspected to have been carted away by hoodlums who attacked officers penultimate Sunday in Okpanam was recovered.
According to Ali, men of the Illah Division were on stop and search duty when the gunmen struck “but luck ran against them as our men repelled them after a fierce gun battle.
“Our men were able to chase them away, brought down one of them, who was the leader of the syndicate.”
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Asked how he got to know the identities of the gunmen as IPOB members, Ali explained that their mode of operation during the attack and the charms they wore around their waists gave them away.
“The corpse has charms tied on his waist which is a symbol of suspected IPOB members. We know their trademark and modus operandi.
“Anywhere they operate, they wear masks, and of course, these ones wore masks when they came out of the bush to attack our men,” he added.
On the attack at Okpanam which led to the killing of three policemen, the CP said part of the strategies put in place to apprehend the perpetrators was what paid off on Monday during the stop and search at Illah.
He assured the families of the deceased officers that they would not be abandoned, adding that the Inspector General of Police and the State Government have promised to adequately compensate them.
