TheCable

The police command in Imo says it has arrested nine suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over the murder of five officers and two civilians in the state.

On April 21, gunmen killed the officers and a couple identified as Mr and Mrs Nwagu during an attack at Okpala community in Ngor-Okpala LGA, Imo state.

The gunmen were said to have attacked the police officers while they were eating at a restaurant.

Henry Okoye, Imo police spokesperson, in a statement on Sunday, said the suspects were apprehended at their hideout in Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA on Thursday.

The police spokesperson said Obali Paul, a 70-year-old man identified as a herbalist, was also arrested.

“In the course of investigation, the suspects all confessed to be members of the dreaded IPOB/ESN syndicate terrorising the good people of Imo state and had a hand in the recent killing of five police officers and two civilians at Ngor-Okpala LGA,” the statement reads.

“They also volunteered crucial information that assisted the operatives in raiding their second hideout in Itu, Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA of Imo state which led to the arrest of another four suspected members of the proscribed separatist group.

“The suspects are famous on the command’s wanted list due to their nefarious activities.

“On sighting the operatives of the police, the notorious criminal syndicates engaged them in a fierce gun duel but were overpowered by the superior fire power of the tactical squad which forced them to surrender all their weapons.”

The police spokesperson added that the 70-year-old man is the “chief priest of the criminal gang”.

He said other members of the gang escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries.