IGP says IPOB operatives behind attack on Imo Police Headquarters, Prison Facility

… says ESN carried out the attacks with sophisticated weapons

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu disclosed that a preliminary investigation revealed that members of the Eastern Security Network were behind the attack on the Imo State Police Headquarters and a correctional facility which happened in the early hours of Monday.

ESN was established by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra to protect the people of South-East and South-South regions from terrorists and bandits allegedly trooping in from the North.

IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, during the launching of ESN in December 2020 said that the outfit is a replica of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), earlier launched by the South-West governors to curb insecurity in the region.

There have been reports on how armed men launched an overnight attack on a correctional facility in Owerri, the Imo State capital, freeing some inmates and proceeded to the State Headquarters of Police where building and vehicle were set ablaze and properties destroyed.

However, a statement issued by Police Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, on behalf of the IGP directed the Imo State Commissioner of Police to carry out holistic investigations into the incident with a view to fishing out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

The statement read, “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M. A. Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and other Police Tactical Squads to Imo State to strengthen security in the state and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the state.

“The IGP gave the directives following the attack on security operatives and formations, including the Imo State Police Command Headquarters and the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) in Owerri in the early hours of today, Monday, 5th April, 2021.

“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the attackers, who came in their numbers with sophisticated weapons such as General-Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), are members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“The attempt by the attackers to gain access to the police armory at the headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted by police operatives on duty who repelled the attackers and prevented them from breaking in and looting the armory. The armory is thus intact! Similarly, the police suffered no human casualty, apart from a police constable who sustained a minor bullet wound on his shoulder.

“Meanwhile, one of the operational vehicles of the attackers has been recovered by the police and is currently being subjected to forensic scrutiny and investigations.

“The IGP, who condemned the attack on the security outfits, has further directed the CP to harness the security reinforcement squads and other operational assets at his disposal to take the battle to the doorsteps of the attackers and prevent any further attack anywhere within the state and its environs.

“The IGP, who described the deliberate and criminal attack on security operatives as an attack on the soul of our nation, has enjoined leaders in Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country to speak out against the unfolding violence and criminality.

“The IGP calls on citizens to avail the police and other security agencies with useful information that can assist in identifying and arresting the criminals. He vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to book, noting that the Force is doing all within its powers to curb the activities of unscrupulous elements hell-bent on threatening the unity, safety, security and socio-economic well-being of Nigerians.”

Authority hunts for 1,884 inmates

Meanwhile, security agencies in the state say it has launched a massive hunt for 1,884 inmates of Owerri Custodial Centre, Imo State, who escaped after the facility was attacked by gunmen on Monday morning.

Six escaped inmates have returned to the facility while 35 others did not escape during the attack, the authority said.

The attackers, who stormed the facility at about 02.15am, gained entrance into the yard by using explosives on the administrative block.

They were said to have arrived the centre in their large numbers in several Hilux pick-up vans and Sienna buses armed with sophisticated weapons and immediately engaged the security personnel on duty in a fierce gun battle.

The spokesman, NCoS, Francis Enobore, disclosed in a statement that the acting Controller-General of Corrections, John Mrabure, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and in collaboration with other security organizations, commenced a search and recover operations to recapture the fleeing inmates.

“While appealing to the good citizens of Imo State and indeed Nigerians to volunteer useful intelligence that will facilitate the recovery effort, the acting Controller-General wishes to assure that the security of custodial centres in the country remains sacrosanct.

“He equally directed all officers attached to custodial facilities to remain vigilant at this trying moment in our history,” the statement noted.

Abia Gov declares curfew

Following the Imo attacks, the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has imposed a curfew on Aba and Umuahia communities.

The curfew becomes effective immediately between 10pm and 6am daily “till further notice”, Abia State Commissioner for Information, John Kalu, said in a statement.

Abia is bordered by Imo to the West.

The State Commissioner for Information, John Kalu, said, “The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the imposition of curfew in Aba and Umuahia metropolis between 10pm and 6am daily from today, Monday, 5th April, 2021 till further notice.

“This is sequel to security reports received from multiple sources, and informed by the need to continue to protect innocent citizens and residents of the state.

“Security agencies in the state have been directed to ensure strict enforcement and compliance with the directive. Only those on essential services with proper identification are exempted from the curfew.

“We urge traditional rulers, men of the State Homeland Security Team and Community Vigilante Services in the state to monitor movement of persons within their respective domains and take necessary measures to protect the people and their property.

“All law abiding citizens are advised to go about their normal duties, outside the curfew period, without fear of molestation as the security architecture of the state is robust enough to guarantee their safety.”