The Ebonyi State Police Command has announced a major success in its campaign against violent crime, confirming the killing of a notorious criminal kingpin during a clearance operation in Ishielu Local Government Area.
According to the Command, operatives of its Crack Squad, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a criminal hideout in Iyonu Forest on 29 August 2025. Armed hoodlums reportedly opened fire on the advancing officers, triggering a fierce gun battle.
The police team overpowered the assailants during the exchange, leading to the death of Isaiah Okoronkwo, a gang leader who had long been on the Command’s wanted list. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered at the scene.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Commissioner of Police Adaku Uche-Anya, through the Command’s spokesperson, Superintendent Joshua Ukandu, commended the operatives for their bravery and precision.
“The operatives displayed professionalism, courage, and painstaking intelligence work that led to this success,” she said.
Uche-Anya reaffirmed the Command’s determination to dismantle criminal syndicates and maintain law and order. “The Command remains unwavering in its mandate to protect lives and property and will continue to take down criminal networks wherever they operate,” she stated.
The operation followed weeks of heightened criminal activity, including armed robberies in Iyonu and nearby communities, which had stirred anxiety among residents.
Police authorities insist the latest crackdown forms part of a wider security push to restore peace across Ebonyi State.
