Four Alleged ESN Militants Arrested
The Anambra State Command has said that its operatives in a joint security force operation on Monday intercepted and arrested four suspected fighters of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
ESN is the militant wing of the secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who made this known in a statement made available to journalists in Awka, the state capital on Tuesday, said the suspects were arrested in Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.
The police spokesperson said the arrest followed information received over time regarding planned attacks on security agents and innocent citizens by the group.
He identified one of the four suspects as 32-year-old Maduabuchi Nwafor, also known as Omenkpo, a native of Ufuma, whom Ikenga said had been identified as one of the native doctors preparing juju for the group and using his shrine for initiation ceremonies and as meeting points for criminals.
“Also, one of the suspects’ name withheld who is already assisting the police with information confessed to be one of the gunmen dispatched by the group to enforce illegal sit-at-home on May 30th, 2024.
“The Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, orders investigations to be widened and deepened to identify hideouts of the insurgents seeking to destabilize and truncate development in the state.
“He assures Ndi Anambra that the police command under his watch will continue to serve the people selflessly and will jealously protect the sources of its information to protect informers from harm,” the PPRO said.
