By ZAGAZOLA MAKAMA

Security forces in Imo state have dislodged terrorist hideouts belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Njaba Local Government Area of the state.

Zagazola learnt that the operation followed the confessions of two arrested suspects – Uchenna Opara and Ozioma Ihedoro – who led operatives to various hideouts of IPOB/ESN commanders identified as Asari and Spare Key.

It was gathered that ACP Odeyeyiwa Oladimeji, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Operations (DOPS), led operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to Ubaa, Umuaka, Njaba LGA, on Aug. 18 at about 1:40 p.m.

On arrival, armed terrorists guarding the camps engaged security operatives in a gun duel before fleeing with multiple gunshot injuries. The hideouts were successfully dislodged by the police.

Items recovered during the operation included one AK-47 rifle, three AK-47 magazines, 40 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition, 60 rounds of live General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) ammunition, two pump action guns, 582 live cartridges, two Biafra flags and one Point of Sale (POS) machine.

Sources said that ongoing to track down the fleeing IPOB/ESN members, who remain at large is ongoing.