Police storm IPOB/ESN camp, apprehend suspect in Imo Monarch kidnapping

An important step in the hunt for those behind the recent kidnapping of road safety officer Sabinus Ugwuebu and former Eze Imo, HRH Eze Samuel Ohiri, who were taken from various locations in Imo state a few days ago, has been announced by the Imo State Police Command: the successful dismantling of a criminal hideout.

The state police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, declared in a statement on Tuesday, January 9, that the police and military had successfully collaborated on an operation.

He claims that on January 9, at around 3:30 in the morning, they launched a gunfight into a suspected hideout that was thought to be an IPOB/ESN camp at Ihite Owerre in Orlu Local Government Area. After a protracted gunfight with the purported 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.