Ebonyi State Police Command has killed two suspected members of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) during a gun battle at their hideout in Ugwulangwu, in the Onicha Local Government Area of the state.
The command spokesman, ASP Levi Philips, in a statement on Friday, said the police team acting on a tip-off trailed some of the hoodlums to their hideout where they engaged security operatives in a shootout.
Philips said that one Ikwe Maduabuchi, 25, and one Onyekachi John, 28, were fatally wounded during the gun duel and their bodies had been deposited at the Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki mortuary.
He said, “The incident happened around 3pm on Thursday. Items recovered from them include two AK-47 rifles, 40 rounds of live ammunition, two locally-made improvised explosive devices and some charms. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Aliyu, has assured residents of the state of their safety as they go about their normal business.”
This comes a few days after police killed three suspected IPOB members, including the group’s commander during a gun battle at Amaifeke, Orlu LGA of Imo state.