By Chukwudi Osuji
Operatives of Anti Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiiwa have arrested alleged killers of two personnel of the Imo State Homeland Security at Umuguma, Owerri West Council Area of the state, during an attempt to kidnap Mrs. Betty Oluchi Dike, on 16th May, 2026.
The operatives also recovered two human skulls suspected to be that of kidnapped victims during a raid of kidnappers' hideout located at Ohaji/Egbema council area of the state.
The Police Commissioner, Audu Garba Bosso disclosed this to newsmen at the command's headquarters on Wednesday while showcasing some of the achievements recorded by the command in the last two months.
The Imo CP said the command also recovered assorted criminal charms, one AK-47 rifle, four AK-47 magazines, sixteen rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, three locally made cut-to-size guns, sixteen live cartridges, one empty Beretta magazine and twenty rounds of GPMG ammunition.
Bosso further availed that a total of 184 suspects were arrested within the period in separate intelligence-led operations for criminal offences bordering on kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery, cultism, murder, defilement, rape, sexual assault, vehicle snatching, stealing, receiving stolen property, and other violent crimes.
He stated that the operations which led to the rescue of three kidnapped victims unharmed, also resulted to the recovery of five locally made double-barrel/cut-to-size guns, four locally made pistols, one blue Toyota Highlander SUV without a registration number, one ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz GLK Jeep with registration number YAB 831 DQ, three Q-Link motorcycles, one Sumec generator set, among others.
CP Bosso said, "following the arrest and confessional statements of two kidnapping kingpins, Confidence Vitalis (28) of Ukugba, Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, and Ishiaya Rejoice (32) of Emuoha in Rivers State, operatives of the Imo State Police Command on 6th July, 2026 carried out a follow-up operation at a suspected kidnappers and terrorists' hideout located within the Egbema River creek. During the operation, the camp was successfully dislodged and seven additional suspects were arrested.
"Further investigation established that the same criminal gang was responsible for the killing of two personnel of the Imo State Homeland Security at Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area, on 16th May, 2026, during an attempt to kidnap Mrs. Betty Oluchi Dike. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate."
The Imo police boss continued, "In a related development, on 7th July, 2026, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Imo State Police Command stormed the Obiakpu swamps in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, where they recovered an additional cache of 346 rounds of live ammunition.
"These achievements are a clear demonstration of the Command's resolve to deny criminal elements any safe haven within Imo State."
"I wish to commend the courage, professionalism, and resilience of our operatives whose commitment continues to yield positive results. I also appreciate the support of members of the public whose timely and credible information has greatly contributed to these successes.
"I urge members of the public to continue partnering with the Police by providing useful information. Together, we will continue to keep Imo State safe and secure." Bosso said.
