The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on Monday declared that members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) carried out the attack in Imo State.
He said in a statement on Monday that ESN, which is the security arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was responsible for the attack on the Imo State Police Command headquarters and the Owerri Correctional Prison.
The Police boss’s statement comes after IPOB had initially denied media reports that it was responsible for the attack on Imo Police Headquarters and Correctional Centre.
Bibian Anekwe News had reported how gunmen attacked the two government facilities, razed their operational vehicles, and freed over 2,000 inmates.
But in a statement on Monday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said the attacks were not carried out by operatives of Eastern Security Network (ESN).
He warned those linking IPOB and ESN to the attacks to stop because the group was formed on the principle of peace.
The IPOB spokesman added that it is not the mandate of the group to attack security personnel or prison facilities.
But a counter statement on Monday signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, insisted that IPOB’s ESN carried out the attack.
The statement said in part, “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the attackers, who came in their numbers with sophisticated weapons such as General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), are members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN).”
It added that the IGP has ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of Police Mobile Force and other Police Tactical Squads to the state to strengthen security in the state and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the state.
Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Military have killed at least seven Boko Haram terrorists in the Gwoza area of Borno State while many others were also wounded.
It was gathered that the terrorists were killed during a clash with the military on Sunday night after the Boko Haram fighters attempted to attack troops of 192 Battalion.
However, the troops responded with superior gunfire, killing some of them instantly while many others escaped with gunshot wounds.
