By Peter Omopo
Two suspected sub-commanders of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, have been killed during a late-night clearance operation by security operatives in Imo State.
The operation targeted forest hideouts in Amaocha Afara, Umunoha and Ifakala communities across Mbaitoli and Njaba Local Government Areas.
A counter-insurgency and security analyst, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the development in a post on his official X handle on Thursday. He said the raid was carried out late on February 24 by tactical teams of the Imo State Police Command based on actionable intelligence.
According to the post, the suspects opened fire on sighting the operatives, leading to a gun battle. The exchange reportedly resulted in the death of two men identified by their aliases as “Minute,” said to be from Ebonyi State, and “Nwaotu,” from Mkpoku in Mbaitoli Local Government Area. Both were described as sub-commanders within the group.
Security operatives were said to have recovered two automatic pump-action guns, nine live cartridges, six spent cartridges and a walkie-talkie from the scene.
Other members of the group reportedly fled into the surrounding forest with varying degrees of injuries, while efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend them.
Authorities confirmed that no police personnel were injured during the operation, which forms part of the Imo State Police Command’s ongoing efforts to dismantle IPOB/ESN networks in the state.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the police command.
