The Enugu state police command killed three suspected hoodlums in a raid carried out by its officers on an Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) camp.

In a statement made available to journalists in Enugu on Friday, the police spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said the force also recovered weapons during the raid in the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state.

“The Enugu State Police Command on Thursday raided an IPOB/ESN camp, at Imufu in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area (L.G.A.) and were engaged in a gun duel by the subversive criminal elements,” Ndukwe said.

“However, three (3) of the hoodlums were neutralized in the ensuing gunfight, while many others escaped with varying degrees of severe gunshot wounds.”

Ndukwe said four (4) Pump Action guns, one (1) locally fabricated revolver gun and pistol each, sixty-seven (67) live cartridges, military camouflage uniforms, fabrics of IPOB insignia, objects suspected to be amulets and other incriminating exhibits were recovered during the raid.

According to him, preliminary investigation reveals that the criminal elements were responsible for the shooting and killing of two Neighbourhood Watch Group security personnel on July 21, 2023, at about 1 am, at Umuagama in the Enugu-Ezike community of Igbo-Eze North L.G.A.

He said the hoodlums had also made several attempts to enforce the illegal sit-at-home order in some parts of the L.G.A.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, fdc, while reaffirming the Police’s unwavering commitment to weed out unrepentant criminals in the State, has lauded the Operatives for successfully executing the operation, tasking them and others to remain firm, resilient and maintain the tempo,” Ndukwe added.

He said that CP Ammani has further solicited the continued support of citizens of the State, while urging residents of the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area and owners of medical facilities in particular, to promptly report individuals sighted with gunshot wounds to the nearest Police Station

Ndukwe said they can do this by calling the Command’s emergency hotlines on 08032003702, 08075380883, 08086671202 or 08098880172, or sending an email to [email protected].