... 22 alleged kidnappers, drug peddlers, others nabbed also
By Prisca Nguzo
Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Units of Imo State Police Command led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa have arrested three suspected IPOB/ESN members allegedly responsible for the gruesome murder of two traditional rulers of Okwudo Autonomous Community and Ihebinowere Autonomous Community both in Njaba LGA, Eze Anayochukwu Durueburuo E and Eze Sampson Osunwa in 2021.
The suspects are Ezemonye Orji (32) of Edda, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Kelechi Michael (28) of Ubowuala, Emekuku, Owerri North LGA and Eririogu Chukwuebuka (28) of Egwuede Atta, Njaba LGA, both in Imo State.
Briefing newsmen at the command's headquarters in Owerri, yesterday, the command's spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye said other 22 suspects were also arrested for various crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, drug peddling, terrorism linked to IPOB/ESN, murder, child trafficking, stealing, and receiving stolen property.
Okoye further disclosed that the operatives during the operations, recovered four assault rifles, twenty-five (25) cartridges, two vehicles, three motorcycles, about 1,200kg (35 bags) of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa, suspected stolen aluminium roofing sheets, criminal charms and other incriminating exhibits.
He noted that the achievement followed enhanced security strategies implemented by the Commissioner of Police, AIG Aboki Danjuma and through sustained operations cum painstaking investigations by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams.
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According to Okoye, "all suspects and exhibits are currently in custody for thorough investigation and will be charged to court accordingly in line with the rule of law."
He said, "In another development, acting on a tip-off, operatives intercepted an ash-coloured Ford J5 bus at Nkweshi, Oguta LGA, and arrested two drug peddlers conveying a large consignment of illicit substances to criminal networks in Eziorsu. About 1,200kg (35 bags) of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa and other prohibited substances were recovered. The arrest forms part of the Command’s effort to disrupt criminal logistics and curb the spread of hard drugs that fuel violent crimes in the State.
"Similarly, acting on credible intelligence, operatives arrested a notorious ESN member on the Command’s wanted list, Ezen Chinonso Ugochukwu (M, 31), at the boundary between Nnebukwu and Orsu Obodo in Oguta LGA. His 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 twenty-two (22) rounds of live ammunition were recovered. The suspect also confessed to the murder of unsuspecting victims by his syndicate, including a pastor and a pregnant young lady."
"The Commissioner of Police reassures Imolites of the Command’s sustained resolve to crush criminal networks and ensure public safety, and urges residents to remain vigilant and support the Police and other security agencies with timely and actionable information to aid proactive policing." he added.
Some photos from the press briefing
