A joint operation on Saturday morning between operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and their counterparts from the Nigerian Army and Department of State Services (DSS) has resulted in the killing of the suspected insurgent attacking Imo and other southeast states.
The leader of the insurgents, identified as Commander Ikonso was killed during the gun battle between security operatives and the insurgents while six of his fighters were also arrested.
The encounter happened in Awomama Village Oru East LGA of Imo State.
Naija News gathered that three policemen and one army officer also sustained serious gun wounds during the encounter and have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
The insurgents reported to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are said to be responsible for several attacks in the area including the attack on the Imo Police Headquarters as well as the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Slain Commander
A narration of the incident as captured in a statement made available to our newsroom by PR Nigeria reads: “Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and their counterparts from the Nigerian Army and DSS in a joint operation, in the early hours of today 24th April, 2021 stormed the operational headquarters of Insurgents (IPOB Militias) in Awomama Village Oru East LGA of Imo State.”
“The Insurgents are responsible for the attack on the Imo State Police Headquarters and the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service on 5th April, 2021.”
“They have also carried out series of calculated, violent attacks on security personnel and formations in the south east and south south of the country.”
“As the security forces approached the base of the insurgents, they came under rapid fire from the group. In a bold and clinical response, the joint security forces fought back gallantly.”
“The Forces eventually neutralized the overall commander of the insurgents in the Southeast popularly known as Ikonso Commander and six (6) other armed fighters of the insurgent group. Commander Ikonso is known as the Vice President designate as well as the coordinator of all the militia operations of the group.”
“He was the mastermind and coordinator of the attack on the Imo Police Headquarters and several other attacks on security and military personnel and facilities.”
“The operation is part of deliberate effort by the Police and other security forces to quell the activities of insurgents in Imo State and other States of the South East and South-South region of the country.”
After the fierce gun battle, the security team recovered the remains of Ikonso Commander and the six (6) of his fighters.
Several sophisticated weapons including six(6) AK47 rifles, hundreds of ammunition of different caliber and lots of charms including bullet Proof charms were recovered from the insurgents.
At the time of filing this report, three policemen and one army officer are receiving treatment having sustained serious bullet injuries during exchange of gunfire with the insurgents.”
Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command on Saturday confirmed that Governor Hope Uzodinma’s house in Omuma, Oru East local government area of the state, was attacked with a petrol bomb.
Speaking to newsmen, the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Orlando Ikeokwo, said the hoodlums did not succeed in burning the house, only vehicles were damaged.
He said the hoodlums were successfully repelled by security operatives.
Ikeokwo, however, confirmed that the hoodlums killed an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, during the attack.