The Imo State Police Command on Friday said they have arrested a 50-year-old suspected bomb maker for the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
A statement by the police spokesperson, Micheal Abattam disclosed that the suspect, Simeon Onigbo, was allegedly responsible for the making of Improvised Explosive Devices which gunmen were using to attack police formations in the state.
According to Abattam, the suspect was arrested at Uba Umuaka in the Njaba Local Government Area of the state after police raided the place following a tip-off.
“In line with Commissioner of Police’s strategy in stemming down crime, the Command’s Tactical Teams, following credible intelligence received on 20/4/2022 at about 1700 hours, revealing the hideout of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB/Eastern Security Network, its militia wing, where they are manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices used in attacking Police Stations and Government facilities in the state.
According to the statement, on searching the criminals’ hideouts, items recovered include 1 already prepared Improvised Explosive Device, 58 pieces of Cannon Steel Pipe, 2 chisels, 1 hammer 1 and a half-bag of Potassium Nitrate.
Others are 30 pounds weight of Sulphur, 40 pounds weight of dry sand, 10 pounds weight of red sand, 30 pounds weight of gun powder, a half-bag of charcoal, 30 electronic motorcycle batteries, and 7 lengths of eight millimeters iron rods.
It however said that the Command’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit has taken over the recovered bomb for technical analysis and subsequently for possible detonation.
The statement noted that the investigation is ongoing, as the suspect has made a useful statement and mentioned members of his gangs outside the State who patronize him.
It said that the operatives of the Command were not relenting and all efforts were on top gear to arrest the named suspects.
The statement then enjoined Imo people to continue to support the police and other security agencies with credible and timely information that will assist the Command tremendously in fighting crimes to a standstill in the State.
