Imo police burst explosive factory, arrest alleged manufacturer

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have uncovered a secret factory where Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) used in destabilising Imo State and its environs, are being manufactured in the state, arresting the suspected manufacturer and recovering a whole lot of items.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Command’s spokesman, Michael Abattam, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), the feat was achieved based on the detailed investigation and intelligence gathering mechanisms carried out in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Ahmed Barde.

A 50-year-old, Simeon Onigbo, fingered as the alleged manufacturer, was arrested along side the items.

The statement reads in part: “Sequel to the modified and invigorated strategies emplaced by the Command’s management team under the watch of the Commissioner of Police (CP), Imo Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, PSC (+) on assumption of office, with a view to checkmating violent crimes and criminality in the state.

“In line with Commissioner’s strategy in stemming down crime, the Command’s Tactical Teams following credible intelligence received on 20/4/2022 at about 1700hours, revealing the hideout where they are manufacturing IEDs used in attacking Police stations and government facilities in the state.

“The Police operatives immediately mobilised to the hideout of the terror group located at Uba Umuaka in Njaba LGA of the state and raided the camp. In the course of the raid, one Simeon Onigbo (50) was arrested. On the spot interrogation, the suspect admitted being the manufacturer of most of the IEDs used in attacking police stations in the state and outside the state.”

“On searching the criminal hideouts, items recovered include one already prepared IED; 58 pieces of cannon steel pipe; two chisels; one Monday Hammer; one and a half bag of potassium nitrate; 30 pounds weight of Sulphur; 40 pounds weight of dry sand, 10 pounds weight of red sand; 30 pounds weight of gun powder; half bag of charcoal; 30 electronic motorcycle batteries and seven lengths of 8millimeters iron rods.”

Meanwhile, the Command’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (EOD) has taken over the recovered bomb for technical analysis and subsequently for possible detonation.

On the way forward, the command stressed: “However, investigation is ongoing, the suspect has made useful statement and mentioned members of his gang outside the state who patronise him. Operatives of the Command are not relenting and all efforts are on top gear to arrest the named suspects.”

The CP, according to the statement, said: “The state Commissioner, who is poised in ensuring that terrorism and other violent crimes are brought to its barest minimum in the state, commended the officers and men for their gallantry and proactiveness.

“He then, enjoined Imolites to continue to support the Police and other security agencies with credible and timely information that will assist the Command tremendously in fighting crimes to a stand still in the state,” it added.