By John Ogunsemore
The Imo State Police Command has neutralised six Eastern Security Network (ESN) fighters, including a kingpin Ifeanyi Anayo aka Zuma De Rock, in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, January 25.
He said, “On January 24, 2025, operatives from the Command’s Tactical Unit following credible intelligence launched a coordinated operation aimed at locating and dislodging the terrorist hideouts.
“The police operatives located the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube, Okigwe LGA.
“Upon approach, the operatives came under heavy fire from suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists but demonstrated exceptional courage and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
“The operation resulted in the neutralisation of 6 members of the terrorist group, with 3 being ESN kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21)—all natives of Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area, and the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along with 8 operational motorcycles used by the group”.
He said this was part of the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force to emplace peace and public safety across the country.
Adejobi said prior investigations revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5, 2021, the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 12, 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.
He added that the group was also involved in multiple kidnappings, including those of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, commended the gallant operatives for their exceptional display of bravery and coordination.
The IGP charged police operatives across commands and formations to sustain the tempo and implement the force’s action plan aimed at reducing crimes drastically in the first quarter of the year 2025.