THE Nigeria Police Force has achieved a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, neutralising three high-profile terrorist leaders linked to the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and dismantling their deadly camps in Imo State.
The operation, conducted by the Imo State Police Command on 24 January 2025, marks a major milestone in the force’s commitment to restoring peace and safety across the nation.
According to ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, following credible intelligence, the Command’s tactical unit located and raided a terrorist hideout in Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area.
The officers came under heavy gunfire from suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists but responded courageously, engaging in a fierce firefight.
The clash resulted in the neutralisation of six terrorists, including ESN kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21), all natives of Ihube, Okigwe.
Police operatives recovered five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), communication gadgets, and eight motorcycles used for operational activities.
The group had been implicated in several high-profile crimes, including the April 2021 attack on the Owerri Correctional Centre, the December 2022 murder of five policemen in Okigwe, and the February 2022 arson at Arondizuogu Police Station. Their criminal activities also extended to kidnappings, notably those involving WAEC officials, reverend sisters, and Chinese nationals between 2022 and 2023.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun praised the operatives for their bravery and professionalism, urging officers nationwide to sustain their efforts in implementing the Force’s crime reduction plan for the first quarter of 2025.
He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s dedication to ensuring national security and public safety, calling on citizens to remain vigilant and collaborate with law enforcement to build a safer society.
