BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
Security agencies in Ebonyi State have invaded the den of hoodlums in Isu Onicha local government area of the state and killed three of them during a gun battle.
The team raided the den following a tip off sequel to an attack on a patrol team and resultant murder of a police officer earlier this week.
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the Commissioner of Police represented by the Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police, Chris Anyanwu, stated that, “A joint operation of the Ebonyi State Police Command Tactical Operation Teams, the Military and DSS embarked on an operation this day, 31/05/2022 to dislodge criminals hibernating at the main camp of Eastern Security Network (ESN) within Isu Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State. This was sequel to an attack on a Police patrol team yesterday evening during which a Police officer was murdered in cold blood by the hoodlums.
“Based on intelligence at the Police Command’s disposal, the hoodlums were trailed to a camp at Isu Onicha. While surveying the one-way route into the camp, the combined security forces were ambushed by the hoodlums who rained sporadic bullet shots in their direction.
“In a swift and spontaneous response, the joint team engaged the hoodlums in a counter-firing that lasted over 30 minutes and neutralized them. As a result of the superior firing power of the joint team, some of the hoodlums with bullet-wounds scampered for escape in different directions. The team later combed the bush and recovered two AK rifles with a few rounds of their ammunition and three corpses of the assailants. The team made their way to the main enclave of the miscreants and after a thorough ransacking, recovered more exhibits.
“Some of the items recovered after the operation include: One AK-49 rifle breech number 1984-AM1196,One AK-47 rifle breech number 1971-DF2726, One AR rifle with illegible breech number, One hundred and forty-seven (147) rounds of AR ammunition, Thirty-eight (38) rounds of AK-47 ammunition, One locally fabricated double-barreled pistol.
“Others were: Two walkie-talkie sets and their chargers, Two charm-like substances, One hospital card, One Diamond bank ATM card, Two National ID cards, One Techno phone battery, and other incriminating items.
“The fatally wounded criminals were confirmed dead at the hospital. Efforts are still on to apprehend the fleeing criminals. ”
He implored members of the public to assist the Police with relevant information about the activities of the criminals and their hideouts and be assured of utmost protection of their identities.
