crime

Police Kill Two Suspected IPOB/ESN Sub-Commanders in Imo State

Published

8 months ago

February 26, 2026

Two suspected IPOB/ESN sub-commanders were killed in a police-led clearance operation across Mbaitoli and Njaba LGAs in Imo State. Weapons were recovered, and remaining members fled

Two suspected sub-commanders of the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) were neutralised during a tactical police clearance operation in forest hideouts across Amaocha Afara, Umunoha, and Ifakala in Imo State.

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According to counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the operation took place late on February 24, following actionable intelligence.

When confronted by police operatives, the suspects engaged in a gun battle, leading to the deaths of the sub-commanders identified by their aliases: “Minute” from Ebonyi State and “Nwaotu” from Mkpoku in Mbaitoli LGA.

The police recovered two automatic pump-action guns, nine live cartridges, six spent cartridges, and a walkie-talkie. Remaining members of the group fled, sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

Authorities confirmed that no police personnel were harmed during the operation. Efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing members.

The Imo State Police Command stated that the exercise is part of its ongoing campaign to dismantle IPOB/ESN networks in the state.

Also read: Oyo Police Arrest Three in Major ₦31.7m Robbery Bust

Efforts to reach the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

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crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

7 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

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The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.