Police Raid Terrorist Camp, Kill Six In Imo
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have raided a terrorist camp in Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area, killing six members of the group.
The gang was allegedly responsible for attacking the Correctional Centre Owerri, murdering five policemen, burning Arondizuogu Police Station, and committing multiple kidnappings in Imo State.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday via the Force’s Facebook page.
According to Adejobi, the operation, carried out on January 24, 2025, was based on credible intelligence.
Police operatives from the tactical unit located and stormed the hideout in a forest in Ihube, engaging the suspects in a fierce gun battle after they came under heavy fire from the alleged IPOB/ESN terrorists.
The statement revealed, “The operation resulted in the neutralization of 6 members of the terrorist group, with 3 being ESN kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21)—all natives of Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area, and the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), some communication equipment, along with 8 operational motorcycles used by the group.
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“Prior investigations had revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5, 2021, the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 12, 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.
“The group was also involved in multiple kidnappings, including those of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.”
The operation, according to Adejobi, “was part of the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force to emplace peace and public safety across the country, to sustain the battle against terrorism.
“Police operatives attached to the Imo State Police Command have achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against terrorism with the neutralization of three deadly terrorist kingpins associated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN).”
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun commended the operatives for their bravery and coordination, urging police commands to “sustain the tempo and implement the Force’s action plan aimed at reducing crimes drastically in the first quarter of the year 2025.”
The police also urged citizens to stay alert and cooperate with security agencies, stating, “Remain vigilant and work collaboratively with the Nigeria Police Force to promote peace and ensure a safer environment for all citizens.”

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.