Police operatives, on Friday, raided a suspected camp of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Ezioha forest, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
Spokesman for the state police command, Henry Okoye, who confirmed the news through a statement, said the operatives rescued a 69-year-old traditional ruler of Umuorji Mgbidi community in Oru West LGA and several other kidnapped persons in the operation carried out with other security agencies.
He said the leader of kidnap gang, which has been terrorising the State in recent times, was killed in the operation.
Okoye said: “On arrival at the terrorist camp, the security operatives were engaged in a heavy gun battle and in the process, the gang leader was naturalized while others fled with bullet wounds.
“Items recovered included different vehicles, one pump action gun, 10 live cartridges, four locally made explosives, one Biafra flag and native bullet proof amongst others.”