The Imo State Police Command has announced a significant breakthrough in its fight against crime, revealing that over the past six months, it has dismantled numerous criminal hideouts, leading to the arrest of 2,785 suspects involved in a wide range of offenses, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and child trafficking.
The intensive operations, spearheaded by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in collaboration with various police divisions and formations, have resulted in the recovery of a substantial arsenal of weapons.
Among the items seized are 20 pump-action guns, 14 AK-47 rifles, two general-purpose machine guns, and four fabricated rocket launchers.
The command also recovered seven gas-cylinder explosives, locally made hand grenades, assorted rounds of live ammunition, cartridges, and criminal charms.
In addition to the arrests and weapon seizures, police successfully rescued 58 kidnapped victims and 42 stolen children. Many of these children have since been reunited with their families, bringing relief to their loved ones.
Among the individuals arrested are Amechi Onyebuchi (38), Ozioma Ihedoro (39), Cyprian Ikpegbunam (50), and Uchenna Opara (30).
These suspects are believed to be members of a notorious gang responsible for numerous attacks on security formations and public infrastructure within the Njaba Local Government Area.
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According to DSP Henry Okoye, the command’s spokesperson, these arrests were made possible by credible intelligence and the coordinated efforts of tactical teams.
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the abduction and murder of one Emmanuel Oguzie, allegedly acting under the orders of a gang leader known only as Asari, who remains on the command’s wanted list.
In a separate incident, police arrested two suspected kidnappers, Uche Nwachukwu (24) and Chinonso Ozirim (32). They are accused of abducting Mr. Anayo Iwuoha from his home in Akabo, Ikeduru LGA, on June 20, 2025.
The syndicate reportedly held Mr. Iwuoha at Chinonso Ozirim’s residence and extorted a ransom of N2.2 million. A joint operation by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and local vigilantes led to the victim’s rescue and the swift arrest of the suspects.
DSP Okoye confirmed that a manhunt is currently underway to apprehend other accomplices who remain at large.
“Recently apprehended is also, Wisdom Chinazaekpere Ogbonna ,36, of Orlu LGA, a notorious member of the Vikings Confraternity. Ogbonna had been on the run for two years following the brutal murder of a young man known as “Pikin,” who was mistakenly identified as a rival cultist and butchered with knives by Ogbonna and three other gang members.
“He was recently apprehended by operatives of Orlu Division for burglary and stealing, but upon further profiling and transfer to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, he was identified as one of the cultists involved in the heinous murder. All the suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of investigation, ” according Okoye.
