A joint operation by security forces has successfully dismantled a suspected hideout of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Aku, Okigwe Local Government Area, Imo State.
The operation, which took place on Wednesday, involved the Police, Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies.
In a statement issued in Owerri, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Henry Okoye confirmed the operation, highlighting the collaborative efforts of various security agencies.
The Commissioner of Police for Imo State, CP Aboki Danjuma, along with other senior officers, called on residents to continue providing intelligence to support ongoing operations targeting criminal elements in the region.
The operation was part of a larger security effort initiated to neutralize a notorious hideout in Aku, which had been linked to “Gentle,” the leader of the ESN criminal group.
The operation, which has been underway for several weeks, resulted in the dismantling of the base, used by the group to launch violent attacks against civilians and security forces.
Several key suspects were arrested during the operation.
Brigadier General Joseph Ogbonna (Rtd.), Senior Special Assistant on Security Affairs to the Governor, reassured Aku residents, urging them to return to their community and work closely with security personnel to maintain peace.
Senior security figures, including Brigadier General U.A. Lawal, Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade, and the Director of DSS, visited the site to assess the progress of the operation.
The statement concluded by emphasizing the importance of public collaboration with the authorities, highlighting that the joint operation’s success would rely on the continuous support and cooperation of the local population to ensure long-term peace and stability in Imo State.
