Imo police arrested 40-year-old Uzoamaka Ugoanyanwu, believed to be a notorious indigenous doctor who allegedly prepared charms for IPOB members of the indigenous peoples of Biafra and members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Imo’s police commissioner, Mr. Abutu Yaro, confirmed the arrest in a statement signed by SP command spokesperson Bala Alkana.
The CP said police also arrested nine suspects who took part in the attack on Governor Hope Uzodimma‘s country house.
Yaro said the breakthrough followed a careful investigation by the command’s tactical units and urged criminal elements who are still in possession of police weapons to surrender them voluntarily.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that police, with military backing, foiled a deadly attack on the police headquarters on Sunday and killed five ESN members.
They also raided the ESN camp on Monday in the Ikeduru council area, dislodged the camp and rescued a policewoman held in captivity.
“In accordance with the mandate given to the officers of the command by IGP Alkali Usman to rescue all criminal elements from the state and restore normalcy to the state, we have declared war on the criminal elements.
“On June 8, at around 4.30 pm, tactical teams from the command, through diligent and careful investigation, stormed Ukwuorji, the Mbaitoli local government area along the Onitsha road and arrested an Ezeugo Ordu, from Ubachima, Omuma, Oru West LGA.
“He confessed to being a member of IPOB / ESN and made useful statements to the police regarding the recent attacks on the police stations as well as the residence of Governor Uzodimma.
“He further led members of the command to the IPOB / ESN camp, a bush near the Njaba river, 9 people were arrested in the hiding place of the criminals while they were preparing another attack, various charms were recovered.
“However, two of the 9 people arrested in the hideout, Chinedu Nwakaire and Uzoamaka Ugoanyawu the indigenous doctor, have been identified as among the thugs who recently attacked the governor’s private residence,” he said.
In addition, the PC reiterated the call for members of the IPOB / ESN, or any other criminal union operating in the state, especially those who have stolen weapons and ammunition from the police, to voluntarily surrender to allow them to get a “soft landing”.
