The Imo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against crime with the arrest of 25 suspects linked to armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism and other violent offences across the state.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Owerri, attributing the development to enhanced security strategies introduced by the Commissioner of Police, AIG Aboki Danjuma.
According to Okoye, the arrests were made in January through sustained operations carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams of the command.
The suspects were detained for offences including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, drug trafficking, terrorism, murder, child trafficking, stealing and receiving stolen property.
He said investigations led to the recovery of four assault rifles, 25 cartridges, two vehicles, three motorcycles, stolen aluminium roofing sheets and about 1,200 kilogrammes, equivalent to 35 bags, of substances suspected to be marijuana, along with other incriminating exhibits.
Okoye noted that among those arrested were suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
He identified some of the suspects as Eririogu Chukwuebuka, 28, of Egwuede Atta in Njaba Local Government Area; Ezemonye Orji, 32, of Edda in Afikpo, Ebonyi State; and Kelechi Michael, 28, of Ubowuala in Emekuku, Owerri North LGA, alongside three others.
The police spokesman alleged that the suspects were responsible for the 2021 killings of the traditional rulers of Okwudo Autonomous Community, Eze E. Durueburuo, and Ihebinowere Autonomous Community, Eze Sampson Osunwa, both in Njaba LGA.
He added that they were also involved in several kidnapping and armed robbery incidents.
He further disclosed that one AK-47 rifle, three magazines, 30 rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action gun, seven cartridges and charms were recovered from the suspects.
In a related operation, Okoye said police operatives intercepted an ash-coloured Ford J5 bus at Nkweshi in Oguta LGA, arresting two suspected drug traffickers allegedly conveying large quantities of illicit substances to criminal networks in Eziorsu.
He said 35 bags of weeds suspected to be marijuana and other prohibited drugs were recovered during the operation.
Similarly, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives arrested a wanted ESN suspect, Ezen Chinonso Ugochukwu, 31, at the boundary between Nnebukwu and Orsu Obodo in Oguta LGA.
According to Okoye, the suspect’s confession led to the dismantling of an ESN camp at Orsu Obodo, where one AK-47 rifle, one LAR rifle, one pump-action gun and 22 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.
He added that the suspect confessed to the killing of several victims, including a pastor and a pregnant woman.
Okoye said all the suspects and recovered exhibits were currently in police custody for further investigation and prosecution.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Imo State Police Command to sustaining aggressive operations against criminal networks to ensure public safety.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that suspicious activities could be reported via 08034773600.
