ESN: Police arrest IPOB’s ‘witch doctor’ in Imo

The police command in Imo says its officers have arrested 40-year-old Uzoamaka Ugoanyanwu.

According to the police, Mr Ugoanyanwu is a notorious witch doctor who prepared charms for the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN).

In Imo, Abutu Yaro, the Commissioner of Police, confirmed the arrest in a statement signed by the command’s spokesman Bala Alkana.

Mr Yaro said the police also arrested nine individuals suspected to have taken part in the attack on the country home of Governor Hope Uzodimma.

The police chief said the “breakthrough” followed a painstaking investigation carried out by the command’s tactical units.

He urged criminal elements still in possession of police arms to willingly return them.

With the support of the military, the police foiled a deadly attack on police headquarters on Sunday and killed five ESN members.

They also invaded the ESN camp on Monday in the Ikeduru council area, dislodged the camp, and rescued a female police officer held captive.

“In consonance with the mandate given to the operatives of the command by IGP Alkali Usman to fish out all criminal elements in the state and restore normalcy to the state, we have declared war on criminal elements.

“On June 8, at about 1630 hrs, tactical teams of the command through diligent and painstaking investigations, stormed Ukwuorji, Mbaitoli local government area, along Onitsha road and arrested one Ezeugo Ordu, a native of Ubachima, Omuma, Oru West LGA.

“He confessed to being a member of IPOB/ESN and made useful statements to the Police as regards to the recent attacks on police stations as well as the residence of Governor Uzodinma,” said a police statement.

It added, “He further led operatives of the command to the IPOB/ESN camp, a bush close to Njaba River, nine persons were arrested at the criminal hideout while planning another attack, assorted charms were recovered from them.

“However, two out of the nine arrested in the hideout, Chinedu Nwakaire and Uzoamaka Ugoanyawu, the native doctor, were identified to be part of the hoodlums that attacked the private residence of the governor recently.”