Sources learnt that the suspect, who gave his name
only as Andy, alias Japan, was arrested in the Orsu Local Government Area of
Imo State, and confessed to have participated in the April 5 invasion of the
two government buildings in the state capital.
In a video recording of his confession, Andy said he and others were
conveyed in a bus before dawn as they invaded the correctional centre. He noted
that he and others broke the windows of the correctional facility as the
inmates ran out.
He said, “My name is Andy alias Japan. I come from Orsu LGA. I
joined the ESN about three years ago. I participated in the attack on the
police headquarters and prison.
“I followed. We did it because of some of our members who were
in the prison. We went to rescue them. I don’t know anyone of the inmates. I
was not armed; I was only carrying a big stick. I entered the prison. I broke
the windows and glasses. I joined the ESN because they were freedom fighters.
We are looking for freedom.
“Our bus was the one which first passed. I only heard that they
killed soldiers. I was in a small bus; we picked another guy on the road. As I
am now, I know I have offended, but the government should free me. I have been
living in Igweocha (Rivers State). I am married and I have children. They (ESN)
don’t pay me one naira. They don’t pay anything. When Biafra comes, they will
take care of us and our children.”
Sources had on Tuesday, April 20, reported that security
personnel stormed some Imo State communities to carry out raids, discreet
searches and arrests of youths and residents who are suspected to be linked to
the Indigenous People of Biafra and its military arm, the Eastern Security
Network.
From multiple sources it
was gathered that the military personnel, suspected to be led by the 34
Artillery Brigade, Owerri, since Sunday had been arresting male residents and
youths particularly in Oguta and Ohaji communities and clamping them into vans.
Imo State has been a hotbed of violence and killings which got
to a head on April 5, when the notorious gunmen attacked the state police
command headquarters, and freed no fewer than 2,000 inmates at the headquarters
of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Owerri.
The gunmen had also attacked the office of the State Criminal
Investigation Department of the state police command, freeing suspects there.
The attackers had burnt all the vehicles parked at the command
headquarters and freed all the suspects in almost all the cells at the
SCID.
SaharaReporters had reported that the gunmen operated in over 10
vehicles, and also attacked soldiers stationed at Umuorji along Owerri–Onitsha
Expressway.
Earlier, four police divisional headquarters had been attacked
since February. They include Obowo, Aboh Mbaise and Ihitte/Uboma, divisions.
Unknown gunmen on March 20 also razed the Isiala Mbano Police
Divisional Headquarters located at Umuelemai in Imo State.
The gunmen had invaded the divisional headquarters armoury and
freed suspects in the detention facility and carted away arms.
While some had fingered the IPOB and ESN as the culprits, the
state government had said the gunmen were being used by aggrieved politicians,
while the IPOB has also denied its involvement in the attacks.
Source: SaharaReporters
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