By 
The Imo State Police Command has revealed that during a statewide operation, men of the command arrested nine criminal suspects involved in heinous activities ranging from kidnapping and robbery to cult-related offences.
Imo Police command added that it also rescued a kidnapped victim and recovered three pump-action guns, two AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, 31 rounds of ammunition and 37 live cartridges.
The operation, according to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, was carried out in line with the mandate of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, to decisively stamp out violent crimes and criminal networks across the state.
He said through intensified operations by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, the command was able to achieve success.
Okoye revealed that in one of the operations, officers arrested suspects Odinaka Ekwebelem, Ejike Sunday and Chinedu Duru, who were linked to the abduction of a young man at Faith Glorious Assembly Church, Awo-Omamma, on November 16, 2025.
The spokesperson of the command said personnel of the command, acting on intelligence, traced the gang to a forest, rescued the victim and recovered two assault rifles.
Similarly, operatives arrested a 26-year-old suspect, Frank Onyemaechi of Ama-Asaa, Ngugu, Ikeduru Local Government Area.
Men of the command while acting on credible information, searched his mobile phone and discovered disturbing images of deceased and kidnapped persons.
Okoye said a follow-up search led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and the arrest of his wife, 24-year-old Chidimma Onyemaechi, who allegedly attempted to hide the weapon.
He revealed that in another development, personnel of the Command raided a criminal hideout in Nchoko, Oru East, leading to the arrest of 22-year-old Nkwusi Tochukwu Casmir, 29-year-old Uchenna Ike and 27-year-old Ikwunna David. The suspects, according to the statement, confessed to being members of the NBM cult group terrorising the area.
The command’s spokesperson added that a manhunt is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices linked to the group.
Responding to the strides of his men, the Commissioner of Police in the state,CP Aboki Danjuma, reassured Imolites of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a safe, secure, and peaceful yuletide season across the State.
The command also used the opportunity to urge residents to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, and to avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic.
Comments