Police Raid ESN Camps, ‘Kill Many Suspects, Recover 8 AK-47s, 14 Pump-Action Guns, Others’
The Nigeria Police Force has neutralised seven suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in two separate operations in Imo State.
The operations, carried out on February 8 and 9, 2025, reportedly led to the recovery of a cache of weapons, including eight AK-47 rifles, 14 pump-action guns, and assorted ammunition.
According to a statement released on Sunday by Police Force spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the first operation targeted an IPOB/ESN camp in Ezioha Mbaitolu, within the Umuele Umuaka Njaba Local Government Area (LGA).
Adejobi explained that security operatives, working in collaboration with other agencies, stormed the hideout, neutralising two suspected ESN kingpins and recovering seven AK-47 rifles, 13 pump-action guns, and hundreds of live rounds.
He said the operation successfully dismantled the camp, dealing a major blow to the group’s activities in the region.
He said, “As a follow-up, police operatives moved to Nkwukwo Forest in Mbaitoli LGA, at the boundary with Ubachima Forest in Awomama Oru West LGA, on February 9. Upon arrival, the security team encountered armed terrorists who opened fire. In the ensuing gun battle, three additional ESN kingpins were neutralised.
“The police recovered two AK-47 rifles, each loaded with 36 rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action gun, four motorcycles, a cutlass, and various criminal charms used by the suspects.
“Meanwhile, in another operation, on February 14, 2025, unknown armed men invaded Gobiraje Village in Suru LGA of Kebbi State and kidnapped one Umaru Bawa ‘m’ aged 60 yrs.”
Adejobi reported that police operatives from the Kebbi State Command received the report and subsequently tracked the suspects to Tundafari Forest in the Dakingari area of the state, where they engaged in a fierce gunfight.
“Consequently, 4 of the kidnappers were neutralised and 1 arrested with fatal injuries while the kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt. The operatives also recovered the cash sum of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000) already paid to the kidnappers as ransom,” he said.
Adejobi noted that the Inspector-General of Police IGP, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has commended the brave efforts of the operatives involved and emphasised the need for continued vigilance in the fight against crime.
He said the IGP has called for increased intelligence gathering, community engagement, and prompt reporting of suspicious activities by citizens.
