The Police Command in Enugu State stressed that they have raided Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) criminal hideouts in Akwuke within the Enugu metropolis.
The police operatives, however, met with resistance from the renegades, who opened fire upon sighting them, but they were subdued by the superior firepower of the police, leading to the neutralization of two of the renegades.
The Commandโs Spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement on Sunday that the Police conducted the raid on Saturday at about 2:30 a.m.
Ndukwe said that other members of the outlawed group escaped with various gunshot wounds.
He said that one AK-47 rifle, one Sub-Machine Gun (SMG), one stainless Pump-Action Gun (PAG), 27 live, and 23 expended rounds of 7.62 mm caliber ammunition were recovered after the raid and gun duel.
According to him, police also recovered five live cartridges and a small blue-coloured Gideon New Testament Bible probably used to conceal objects suspected to be charms.
โIn pursuance of the proactive/crime prevention strategies devised by the stateโs Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, police operatives of Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad carried out an intelligence-guided raid of a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout in Akwuke community in Enugu metropolis.
โA preliminary investigation reveals that the breech number of the recovered AK-47 was wiped off.
โThe criminal elements are responsible for several attacks and carting away of police officersโ rifles, as the rifleโs magazine bore the Nigeria Police Force color. Further discreet investigations are ongoing,โ he said.
The spokesperson noted that the CP while commending the operatives for the feat, reaffirmed the commandโs unwavering commitment to rid Enugu State of unrepentant criminals.
He said that the commissioner solicited the continued support of the citizenry while urging them and owners of medical facilities, in particular, to report persons found with gunshot wounds to the nearest police operative or station.
