IPOB/ESN targeted Anambra bank, plan foiled by officers – Police

The Anambra State Police Command has said it foiled a robbery attack on a bank at Ihiala, in the Ihiala Local Government Area of the State.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, on Wednesday in a statement added that the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the bank was hit by stray bullet in the leg during the attack had been taken to hospital.

The police spokesman on Wednesday said the attack was allegedly carried out by members of the Indigenous People of Briafia and Eastern Security Network (ESN) around 12.30pm on Tuesday.

He said the groups also disrupted commercial activities and vehicular movement in Ihiala in attempt to enforce sit-at-home order in the area.

The statement read, “Following the improved Operational and strategic positioning of both human and viable assets of the command by the CP Echeng Echeng, the joint security forces comprising of the Police and Military by 12.30 pm on May 9, 2023, dispersed illegal sit-at-home enforcers from the proscribed Indigenous People of Brafia (IPOB) and Eastern security Network (ESN) in Nkwo market, ihiala.

“The Outlawed group members armed with guns and other weapons came out in a large numbers on a motorbike and started shooting sporadically, in an attempt to rob a bank and to disrupt commercial activities and vehicular movement going on in Ihiala.

“The joint operatives responded swiftly which made the armed men abandon their evil plan and took to their heels.

“Unfortunately, due to the indiscriminate shootings by the armed group, a stray bullet hit the chief security officer CSO of the bank on the leg and he has been taken to the hospital where he is currently receiving treatment. No life was lost.

“Meanwhile, calm has returned to the area as police with other security forces have intensified patrols, and improved security dominance and surveillance in the state,” the statement added.