By Chukwudi Osuji
Imo State Police Command has said that it has arrested a total of 179 criminal suspects for various offences including armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, rape, cultism, stealing and receiving stolen property, obtaining money under false pretences, terrorism-related offences linked to suspected IPOB/ESN elements, and murder.
The state Police Commissioner, Audu Garba Bosso made the disclosure while briefing leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State Council led by Comr. Ifeanyi Nwanguma, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Command's headquarters in Owerri.
CP Bosso said the arrests followed painstaking investigations and intelligence-led operations by the operatives of the command aimed at ridding the state of all forms of crime, criminality and terrorism activities in the state.
He stated that in the course of investigating the arrested suspects, two General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 6 AK-47 rifles, ten pump-action guns, four locally fabricated single-barrel guns, one pistol, one long gun, two magazines, a large cache of assorted live ammunition, fabricated firearms, criminal charms, 7 suspected stolen vehicles, a human skull, stolen motorcycles, and other incriminating items were recovered.
The Imo Police boss further disclosed that some of the suspects have been arraigned in court, while others are undergoing detailed investigation.
He said, "prominent among the arrests is a notorious commander of the proscribed Eastern Security Network (ESN), Mr. Uchenna Mmaduakolam, popularly known as “Ebube Virus,” aged 43 years, of Ihiteafor-Ukwu in Ahiara Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, who confessed to being involved in a series of violent attacks in parts of the State, including Mbaise, Ngor-Okpala, Mbano, Owerri, and Obowo LGAs.
"Also arrested are six (6) suspected members of a proscribed IPOB/ESN group during separate intelligence-led coordinated operations. The suspects include Gerald Oparaji, also known as “Ezemuo,” Kingsley Achi (61 years), Collins Mbam Chinasa (66 years), Ozioma Chima (28 years), Calista Onyenso (39 years), and Shedrack King (39 years), a native of Warri, Delta State. They were arrested following investigations into their alleged involvement in terrorism-related activities and other acts of criminality in the State.
"In the course of investigating these suspects Two GPMG riffles, 3115 rounds of live ammunition, four Ak 47 riffles, 238 Ak 47 ammunition, seven pump action guns, Biafra Libration Uniforms, Two Locally made single barrel guns, one human skull, six different makes of vehicles which includes two Toyota Sienna, one Lexus 330 RX SUV, three motorcycles, three bags of substance suspected to be Indian Hemp and various criminal charms were recovered in their hideouts."
Bosso reiterated the Command's commitment to sustaining and enhancing peace and security across Imo State, saying that its operatives have intensified intelligence-led operations, show-of-force exercises, and confidence-building patrols across various parts of the State to consolidate the existing security gains.
"These proactive measures are aimed at ensuring that emerging security threats in areas such as Ihiagwa, Nekede, Irete, Ogbaku, and other parts of Owerri West and adjoining communities are promptly identified and decisively addressed. The Command assures residents that all necessary efforts are being sustained to proactively nip such threats in the bud and guarantee the safety and security of all law-abiding citizens." he added.
