The Police Command in Enugu State said it had neutralised an alleged member of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement made available to the media in Enugu on Sunday.

Ndukwe stated that the feat was achieved during a gun duel between the police operatives and “subversive criminals” at Igbele Village by Amachala Road, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.

He also stated that the incident happened at about 10:45pm on October 21.

He listed the recovered items to include one pump action gun, loaded with four live cartridges, three expended cartridges, objects, suspected to be amulets, and yellow-colour beret from the neutralised suspect.

“In pursuance of the policing strategies devised by the Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, to rid the state of unrepentant criminals, police operatives serving in Igbo-Eze North Police Division; NPF Special Forces and Neighborhood Watch Group neutralised a suspected IPOB/ESN member.

“The feat is consequent upon the operatives’ swift response to credible information on the wanton criminal activities of the renegades, who, in their numbers, blocked the road and opened fire on them.

“The police operatives, however, tactically returned fire at a superior level, leaving many other members of the subversive criminal group escaping with varying degrees of gunshot wounds,” he said.

The police spokesman stated that the police boss had commended the team for a job well done.

He further stated that the police commissioner also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustain the onslaught against unrepentant criminals in the state.

“The commissioner also entreats citizens of the state to continue to support the police,” he added.