Police Dismantle IPOB/ESN Hideout in Imo, Recover Machine Guns and 3,115 Rounds of Ammunition

Nigerian police have dismantled what they describe as an IPOB/ESN terrorist enclave in Imo State, recovering a cache of weapons including machine guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and surveillance drones.

The operation took place in Nguru, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, according to a statement from the Nigeria Police Force. Officers said the raid was part of their ongoing campaign against violent extremism and organised criminal networks across the country.

Intelligence-led operation

Police spokesperson DCP Anthony Placid Okon said the operation was carried out based on intelligence from the confessional statement of a high-ranking IPOB/ESN suspect identified as Ebube Uchenna Maduakolam, also known as “Ebube Virus.”

Three suspects were arrested during the raid and remain in custody. According to police, they are providing investigators with information about the group’s logistics networks, personnel structure, and planned operations.

Weapons recovered

A search of the hideout yielded two General-Purpose Machine Guns, 3,115 rounds of GPMG ammunition, one AK-47 assault rifle, one pump-action shotgun, multiple surveillance drones, and Biafra currency in various denominations.

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu commended the operatives for their professionalism and tactical precision. He said the recovery of the weapons significantly degrades the operational capacity of the IPOB/ESN network in the South-East region.

“The recovery of this substantial arsenal represents a decisive blow against their campaign of terror,” Disu said.

The Nigeria Police Force said it remains committed to upholding the rule of law and guaranteeing the safety of every Nigerian citizen.

Sources: Punch Newspapers, Guardian Nigeria, Daily Post, ThisDay, Tribune Online