IPOB/ESN terrorists abduct 3, behead 2 policemen in South East Nigeria, FG reacts

*Condemns, vows perpetrators will face justice

By KEMI KASUMU

Some members of terrorist groups, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Easter Security Network (ESN)’s beheading of two policemen after abducting three of them in South East Nigeria, as shown in a viral video across social media on Saturday, has been confirmed.

The confirmation came as the Federal Government strongly condemned gruesome murder of the two policemen, warning that those who carried out the killings, videotaped their heinous act and circulated such will be apprehended and brought to justice.

Although The DEFENDER news team watched the video, details of it could not be filed for report until Monday evening, when the Federal Government reacted to the evil act.

In a statement issued in Lagos, copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described the abduction of three policemen and the killing of two of them, in the most horrific, barbaric and cannibalistic manner, as an unacceptable attack against
the state.

”We have credible information that ASP Francis Idoko (AP No. 154945); Inspector Emmanuel Akubo (AP No. 222336) and Inspector Rufai Adamu (AP. No. 285009), all serving officers of the Nigeria Police, were abducted by members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), acting on the instructions of their leader, Chinonso Okafor, aka TEMPLE, on 27 Nov. 2021.

”Two of the officers, Inspectors Akubo and Adamu, were killed in the most gruesome manner and their decapitated bodies videotaped and circulated widely. The leader of the ESN team that killed the two officers is one ‘GENTLE’.

”Chinonso Okafor, the most influential commander of ESN in charge of Imo and Anambra States, as well as ‘Gentle’ and all those who perpetrated the abhorrent act will be made to face swift and sure justice,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said the targeting and killing of security agents, under any guise, is a direct attack on the state and will not be tolerated.

He said the continued attacks on security agents as well as agencies of government by ESN/IPOB are diametrically opposed to the call in certain quarters for a political solution to the IPOB issue, and wondered why those making such calls have yet to condemn the appalling murder of serving police officers.

The Minister paid tribute to the officers, who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of their fatherland, as well as all security agents who are serving the nation to the best of their ability in a most difficult moment.

He also condoled with the families of the slain officers, praying that God will comfort and strengthen them.