By Prisca Nguzo
Imo State Police Command has said that it has arrested One Hundred and Forty-Seven criminal suspects including kidnappers, armed robbers, rapists and human traffickers within the last two months in the state.
Briefing newsmen in Owerri on Sunday, the Command's spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye said the achievements resulted from thorough investigations, intelligence-led operations and intensified efforts of the command in enhancing the peace and security of the state.
Okoye stated that in the course of the operations, five armed suspects were neutralized during fierce gun battles with police operatives, while seven kidnapped victims were successfully rescued.
He further disclosed that seven AK-47 rifles, three AK-47 magazines, seven pump action guns, seven locally fabricated long guns, 178 live cartridges, three motorcycles, various denominations of Biafra currency, four Biafra flags, and several criminal charms were recovered from the arrested suspects.
Okoye said, "Over the past two months, the Imo State Police Command has intensified its efforts in enhancing the peace and security of Imo State through a series of well coordinated operations across the state. These efforts, executed under the strategic leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, have resulted in significant successes in combating crime.
"Following thorough investigations and intelligence-led operations, 147 suspects were arrested for crimes including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, rape, stealing, receiving stolen property, child trafficking, and terrorism.
"Recovered from these suspects were 7 AK-47 rifles, 3 AK-47 magazines, 7 pump action guns, 7 locally fabricated long guns, 178 live cartridges, 3 motorcycles, various denominations of Biafra currency, 4 Biafra flags, and several criminal charms."
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He continued, "A major breakthrough occurred on 20th May 2025 around 1600hrs in Umuaka, Njaba LGA, when Anti-Kidnapping operatives arrested Ozioma Ihedoro, a 37-year-old native doctor on the Command’s wanted list. He admitted to being the spiritual adviser to an IPOB/ESN commander known as “B44.” A search of his shrine recovered an AK-47 rifle, three magazines, and seven live rounds. He is cooperating with investigators, providing intelligence to dismantle other syndicate at large.
"In a related development on 19th May 2025, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, in synergy with operatives of Njaba Division, arrested three armed robbery suspects—Chinonso Anayo (aka Pablo, 24), Emmanuel John (21), and Ifeanyi John (20), all from Isiagu, Ebonyi State. They were apprehended during a surveillance operation and confessed to multiple robberies. Police recovered one Q-Link motorcycle, two pump action guns, and fifteen live cartridges."
"While commending the operatives for their resilience, CP Aboki Danjuma reiterated the Command’s commitment, alongside other security agencies, to safeguarding lives and property, noting that security measures have been strengthened across the state to eliminate kidnapping and violent crimes and urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station." he added.
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