TheCable

The Imo police command says it arrested one Benneth Okoli, an alleged native doctor of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) with improvised explosive device (IED).

ESN is the security arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed group.

Abutu Yaro, the commissioner of police in Imo, confirmed the arrest in a statement signed by Mike Abatam, the command’s spokesperson.

Yaro said Okoli was arrest in his shrine following an intelligence report.

He said IED, charms and cannabis were recovered from the suspect.

“After a diligent forensic and technical intelligence gathering, the suspect, Benneth Okoli, 49, was arrested in his shrine at Akuma in Oru East LGA of Imo,” the statement reads.

“On searching the shrine, one locally made IED, charms and weed suspected to be cannabis were recovered.

“The suspect on interrogation, made useful statements and is currently assisting the police to arrest the rest of his gang, presently on the run.

“The arrest is coming a few days after bandits had an encounter with the police in the area.

“Sequel to the attack on the Omuma Police Station in Oru East by bandits suspected to be the remnants of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and ESN terror groups, the CP dispatched the command’s tactical teams led by ACP Benjamin Osuji.

“The team was directed to carry out discreet investigation and arrest the bandits involved in the attack of the police station.

The commissioner commended the officers for the arrest and asked them to sustain the fight against criminality.

The development comes weeks after the command said it arrested one Uzoamaka Ugoanyanwu a native doctor who allegedly prepares charms for members of IPOB.