… Four Dead as Hoodlums Launch Bomb Attempt on Governor’s House
In a reprisal attack after Owerri Correctional Centre and headquarters of Imo State Police Command were attacked, soldiers from the Nigerian army have killed the Commander of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB/Eastern Security Network (ESN), in the South-East, identified simply as Ikonso Commander, alongside six other IPoB/ESN members during a shootout, yesterday.
Three policemen and a soldier were said to have sustained bullet injuries during the incident.
The operatives, in a joint operation, reportedly stormed IPoB’s operational headquarters in Awomama village, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, yesterday.
The operation, followed an allegation that members of the group were responsible for the attacks on the headquarters of Imo State Police Command and the Nigerian Correctional Service on April 5, 2021.
They were also alleged to have carried out series of calculated, violent attacks on security personnel and formations in the South-East and South-South regions.
A credible source narrated: “As the security forces approached the base of the insurgents, they came under rapid fire from the group. In a bold and clinical response, the joint security forces fought back gallantly and eventually neutralised the commander of the insurgents in the South-East popularly known as Ikonso Commander and six other armed fighters of the insurgent group.”
“Commander Ikonso is known as the Vice President-designate as well as the coordinator of all the militia operations of the group. He was the mastermind and coordinator of the attack on Imo Police headquarters and several other attacks on security and military personnel and facilities.
“The operation is part of a deliberate effort by the Police and other security forces to quell activities of insurgents in Imo State and other states in the South-East and South -South regions.
“At the end of the gun duel, the security teams were able to recover the remains of Ikonso Commander and six of his fighters.
“Several sophisticated weapons including six AK47 rifles, hundreds of ammunitions of different caliber and lots of charms including bulletproof charms were recovered from the insurgents.
“Three policemen and an Army officer are receiving treatment in the hospital, having sustained serious bullet injuries during the exchange of gunfire with the insurgents.”
Responding to the shootout between security forces and IPoB/ESN members, Emma Powerful, IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, said that the governor decided to kill Ikonso “because he refused his offer to head Ebebe Agu ghost security outfit formed by South-East governors.”
‘Bomb Attempt on Uzodinma’s Home’
Meanwhile, the country home of Governor Hope Uzodinma was bombed yesterday.
The incident, which happened at 8:15 am at his village, Omuma, in Oru East Local Government Area, resulted in the death of four security operatives.
The state government said the attack on Uzodinma’s country home was carried out by 15 people, who arrived at the scene in three vehicles including a tipper loaded with used tyres.
Public Relations Officer of Imo State Police Command, Orlando Ikeokwo, who confirmed the incident, identified the casualties as a Police Sergeant and two personnel of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC.
”Yes, I can confirm the story. The hoodlums attacked the governor’s house by throwing in petrol bomb as a result of which two cars were burnt, but they were successfully repelled.
“None of the building was set ablaze. However, one unarmed personnel of the NSCDC was killed in the process. The hoodlums while escaping also killed a Police Sergeant and another NSCDC personnel both in their private vehicles at Mgbidi junction,” the Police spokesman said.
Also, an officer of the Imo State Fire Service was also killed by the attackers.
Director of the state Fire Service, Japhet Okereafor, identified the deceased as Atenesuis Iheakor, a level eight officer.
A source in Omuma community said: “The man was killed as they were driving to Governor Hope Uzodimma‘s house to quench the fire.
“He was killed less than two poles away from Uzodinma’s house.”
Th dead security operative was said to be a father of five children.
It was further gathered that the attackers also carried out pockets of attacks in another Local Government Area.
A resident of Omuma community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The attacks in other areas were not serious. They were shooting to clear the way for themselves. As a result of the shooting, some people running away got injured. I was told some were struck by stray bullets. The areas the hoodlums were shooting sporadically as they were leaving were in Orlu, parts of Oru East and Oguta Local Government Areas.”
In his reaction to the incident, Imo State Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, said that: “the government has directed relevant security agencies to expedite investigation on the incident and promptly apprehend the sponsors and their agents and bring them to justice.”
