Two suspects detained in Imo over attack on police station — Premium Times Nigeria
Police in Imo State in southeastern Nigeria said they had detained two people suspected of involvement in a foiled August attack on the headquarters of a police station in Agwa. This was reported by Premium Times Nigeria, citing the state police spokesperson, Henry Okoye.
According to Okoye, Chiemela, known by the nickname Disaster, was killed while the attack was being repelled in the Oguta Local Government Area. Police described him as the leader of the terrorists. Law enforcement officers also said that a further investigation led to the detentions and an operation at a suspected hideout in Uba-Agwa.
Detentions in Agwa
At about 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, police detained 29-year-old Okechukwu Aniim, a native of the Agwa community. According to police, he is suspected of involvement in the foiled attack on the police station and other crimes in the area.
Okoye said the detention was preceded by information and confessions obtained from previously detained 32-year-old Happiness Uche, who is also from Agwa. After detaining Aniim, police officers, accompanied by the head of the Agwa police station, went to an abandoned unfinished bungalow in Uba-Agwa that they considered a suspected hideout.
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Police said that people in the house opened fire on law enforcement officers but later fled. Some of those who fled may have sustained gunshot wounds, according to Okoye. Police said they continue to search for them.
Items seized
During a search of the house, police said they seized an AK-47 rifle with a visible identification number, two magazines containing 52 rounds, and a hand grenade. Law enforcement officers also reported seizing four sets of military uniforms, five sets of police uniforms with name tags, three Biafran flags, six sets of clothing bearing Biafran symbols, three sets of uniforms, and four berets marked ESN.
Other items included bank cards that police believe may belong to different victims, currency bearing Biafran inscriptions, foreign currency, photographs of an unidentified person, and items that law enforcement officers consider ritual materials.
Okoye said the hideout was allegedly used by suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network. IPOB advocates for the creation of an independent state of Biafra in southeastern and part of southern Nigeria, but the group has previously denied involvement in attacks with which security forces link it. Police said Aniim would be brought before a court after the investigation is completed.
