The Imo state Police Command has confirmed the killing of six suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the state.
In a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mike Abattam, the IPOB members were killed while attempting to attack a traditional ruler’s palace in the state.
He said the gunmen were intercepted and killed, while on their way to attack the palace of the Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers in the state.
A statement by Abattam reads: “On May 16, at about 0800 hours at Orlu, hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB and its affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), were sighted in their numbers in three Hilux vehicles, shooting sporadically.
“They fiercely advanced towards the Palace of Imo Chairman Council of Traditional Rulers, Dr E. Okeke to unleash terror therein.
“Upon receiving the information, the command’s tactical team, joined by the military, immediately mobilised and rushed to the palace.
“The hoodlums on sighting the combined team engaged it in a gun duel, throwing petrol bombs.
“The gallant team responded and positioned themselves professionally.
“In the exchange of gunfire that ensued, the hoodlums were overwhelmed due to the superior fire-power of the combined team.
“In the process, six of the hoodlums were neutralized.
“The team did not relent in their effort, they chased the hoodlums and recovered one pump action gun, three blood-stained machetes and three Hilux vans, suspected to have been snatched from innocent citizens,” Abattam stated.
The police spokesman said there was no casualty in the side of the operatives, but one of the police vehicles got burnt in the process.
He said the bodies of the gunmen killed have been deposited in the mortuary while efforts are in top gear to arrest other fleeing hoodlums.
