By our reporter| Seven suspected members of a militia group linked to the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) were on Saturday killed during a joint operation by the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and Department of State Services.
The men, who were identified as members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, were killed during an early morning raid on their hideout at Awomama village, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.
Security sources explained that the slain militia members were responsible for the attack on the Imo State Police headquarters and the Nigerian Custodial facility on April 5, 2021.
Three policemen and one army officer sustained serious bullet injuries during the exchange of gunfire with the insurgents and are presently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Among those killed is one suspected Commander Ikonso, identified as the Vice President-designate of IPOB.
The late IPOB leader was also said to be the coordinator of all the operations of the group in the South-East, including the attack on the Imo Police Headquarters on April 5 and several other attacks on security and military personnel and facilities.
Commander Ikonso, alongside six others of his colleagues, fell to the superior firepower of the security operatives following the early morning operation.
Ikonso is said to have carried out series of violent attacks on security personnel and formations in the South-East and South-South of the country.
The operation is part of deliberate efforts by the police and other security forces to quell the activities of insurgents in Imo State and other states of the southeast and South-South region of the country.
Several sophisticated weapons including six AK-47 rifles, hundreds of ammunition of different calibre, and charms meant to ward off bullets were recovered from the gunmen.
Imo State and the South East region has been experiencing series of attacks of recent with sources blaming the attacks on IPOB.
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