Nine members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Sector Commander of a despicable IPOB/ESN syndicate, Mathew Chuwkuma, 48, of Mpam Ahaizu Mbaise LGA, Imo State, have been detained, according to the Imo State Police Command.
In an interview with Newsmen in Owerri, Imo State, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the arrest.
The police spokesman said the arrest is “sequel to the attack on Police Officers on patrol assigned to the Ngor-Okpala/Mbaise Area Command at Ngor-Okpala, Imo State on April 21, 2023 by hoodlums suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), where four brave police officers lost their lives, the Commissioner of Police, Imo state, CP
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The statement reads,” Acting on the CP’s directives, a detachment of the Command’s tactical team on 24/04/2023 at about 1730hrs after a diligent gathering of credible intelligence, arrested one Mathew Chuwkuma 48yrs ‘m’ of Mpam Ahaizu Mbaise LGA, Imo State, in his hideout at Umuahia, Abia State.
“The Sector Commander of a dreadful IPOB/ESN syndicate in Mbaise confessed and assisted the curious operatives in arresting three (3) of his syndicate namely; Ojoko Ikechukwu 53yrs ‘m’ of Umugwa, Chilaka Charles 44yrs ‘m’ of Umuezuo, and Anthony Iwu 50yrs ‘m’ of Umugwa all in Umuokiria, Ahaizu Mbaise LGA of Imo State in their Criminal hideout while others escaped.
“Acting on the CP’s directions, a detachment of the Command’s tactical team on April 24, 2023, at around 1730 hours, apprehended one Mathew Chuwkuma, 48, of Mpam Ahaizu Mbaise LGA, Imo State, in his hiding place at Umuahia, Abia State.
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“He admitted to being the Sector Commander of a horrible IPOB/ESN syndicate in Mbaise and helped the intrepid agents apprehend three (3) members of his group—Ojoko Ikechukwu, 53 years old, Chilaka Charles, 44 years old, and Anthony Iwu, 50 years old—in their criminal hideout in Umuokiria, Ahaizu Mbaise LGA in Imo State, while others managed to flee.
“The following accusatory objects were found in the hideout; From the terrorist hideout, one cut-to-size AK 47 rifle, 119 live 7.62 mm bullets, 2 AK 47 magazines, 2 cut-to-size double barrel weapons, and 1 locally made Berretta pistol were found.
“The suspects admitted to being part of the evil IPOB/ESN conspiracy that terrorize the decent people of Imo State and was responsible for the recent killings of four police officers and two civilians in Ngor Okpala throughout the course of the inquiry.
“They provided vital information that helped the determined operatives on April 27, 2023, at approximately 12:40 a.m., raid their second hideout/shrine in Itu, Ezinitte Mbaise LGA, Imo State, which resulted in the arrest of four (4) other infamous IPOB/ESN suspects who were listed on the command’s wanted list due to their nefarious activities.
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“On spotting the Operatives, the notorious criminal syndicate engaged them in a fierce gun duel but were overcome by the super firepower of the combat-ready tactical squad, which forced them to disarray and resulted in the arrest of four other suspects, namely: 1. Ibe Demian 50yrs’m’, 2. Iwuala Simon 31yrs’m’, both of Neme Mpam Ahaizu Mbaise LGA of Imo State
“When they searched their second hideout, which doubles as a shrine where they practice fetish rituals, they found two (2) AK 47 magazines, two (2) locally made explosive devices, one (1) iPhone, one (1) H-mobile, Walkie-Talkie, three (3) pump action guns, two (2) single barrel locally made guns, one (1) locally made pistol, fifty (50) rounds of 7.66mm live ammunition, thirty-eight (38) rounds of live cartridges, two (2) locally made cut to size guns, three A huge amount of marijuana believed to be Cannabis Sativa, two (2) Biafran Jewish caps, three (3) cow horns painted with Biafran insignia, a Jewish flag, and other fetish items were discovered.
“Investigations are being conducted frantically in an effort to apprehend any remaining syndicate members and subject them to the full force of the law.
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While praising the operatives for a job well done, the CP emphasized that policing is a shared responsibility. Then, he made a plea to the people of Imo to join forces with the police and other sister security organizations in the fight against terrorism and to report any suspicious activity or person(s) seen with or treating a gunshot wound to the local police station or to call the command’s emergency lines at 08034773700 or 08098880197
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