ESN chief priest’ arrested as police recover bomb, other weapons in Imo

The Imo State Police Command on Tuesday said it has arrested a suspected Chief Priest of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, the military arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Police spokesman, Micheal Abattam, made the disclosure in a statement  in Owerri the state capital.

Abattam said the suspect,  one Ikechukeu Umaefulem,  was arrested in Orlu where the ESN operatives allegedly have their training centre, adding that some dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspect during the operation.

Items recovered, the police PRO said, included one pump action gun with five rounds of live cartridges, one improvised explosive device, knockouts, gun powder, Biafran flag and other spiritual items, among others.

The statement added: “When his spiritual home and premises were searched, the following items were recovered, they are, One pump action gun with five rounds of live cartridges, One Improvised Explosives Device, Knockouts, Gun Powder, Biafran Flag and other spiritual items.

“Meanwhile, the arrested spiritualist is in custody, undergoing interrogation and is assisting the police tremendously with information that will lead to the discovery of the remnants of their camps and arrest of other members of the group in hiding.”