By Daniel Edu

Enugu State Police Command has announced the successful neutralization of two members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), during a targeted raid on their camp. The operation, conducted as part of the Easter crime prevention strategy devised by CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, the Commissioner of Police for Enugu State, led to the seizure of various weapons, according to DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the command’s spokesperson.

The raid took place in the Akwuke community of Enugu South Local Government Area around 2:30 a.m. on March 30, 2024. Police operatives, specifically from the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, encountered armed resistance from the insurgents but managed to overpower them with superior firepower.

Following the confrontation, law enforcement recovered significant weaponry, including one AK-47 rifle, one submachine gun (SMG), one stainless pump-action gun, along with ammunition comprising 27 live rounds and 23 expended rounds of 7.62 mm caliber ammunition, among other items.

Of particular note, the AK-47 rifle recovered had its breech number erased, suggesting efforts to conceal its origin. DSP Ndukwe explained that preliminary investigations indicate the involvement of the criminal elements in various attacks and the theft of police rifles, as evidenced by the Nigeria Police Force color on the rifle’s magazine.

The Enugu State Police Command is conducting discreet investigations to fully uncover the extent of the insurgents’ activities, including their role in attacks on law enforcement personnel and the theft of police weaponry.

CP Uzuegbu commended the operatives involved in the successful operation and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating criminality in the state. He urged the public, especially medical facilities, to report any individuals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds, aiding in the capture of those who may have escaped from the raid.