Security Operatives Raze Suspected Houses Of ESN/IPOB Members In Imo
Some suspected security operatives have reportedly razed houses belonging to suspected members of Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Umuonyeoka Ihitteafoukwu and Okponkume communities in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
The incident, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, caused panic in the community.
It was gathered it happened when joint security men invaded the community in search of some alleged members of ESN/IPOB.
According to the Nation, community leader, Emeka Obasi said: “In the early hours of Saturday 12th February 2022, Umuonyeoka a quiet and peaceful community in Ihitteafoukwu town was ruffled with a seemingly Gestapo style of invasion by armed men suspected to be law enforcement agents, who came in seven cars shooting sporadically and headed to a compound of the one Uche Madu who is suspected to be a member of the ESN group.
“They could not get him, all hell was let loose and they descended on his siblings Sonyval and Chinonso Madu and set ablaze the houses without allowing even a single pin to be evacuated from the building.
“While I do not support any indigene of Ihitteafoukwu land to be involved in any unlawful act or criminal activity, it is still pertinent to state that the invasion and arson perpetrated in our land today is highly condemnable and ill-advised.”
Obasi called on the Imo Government to unravel those behind the Saturday’s invasion of Ihitteafoukwu land with a view to bringing them to book as well as forestalling a future recurrence of such ugly incident.
He said that Ihitteafoukwu remains a peaceful town and its indigenes have always been known for their patriotism and law abiding nature.
Imo Police spokesperson CSP Michael Abattam said he heard of the incident but stated the police didn’t carry out the operation.
The Army Public Relations Officer, Joseph Akuga, said he was not aware of the incident, adding the military has no operation at Mbaise.
