Saturday, November 29, 2025 - The Imo State Police Command has, in a statewide operation, arrested nine criminal suspects involved in heinous activities ranging from kidnapping and robbery to cult-related offences.
In the course of the operation, the command 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 stated that through intensified operations by the
Anti-Kidnapping Unit led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, the command was able to
achieve success.
Okoye disclosed 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.
He revealed that personnel of the command, acting on
intelligence, traced the gang to a forest, rescued the victim and recovered two
assault rifles.
In a similar operation, operatives arrested a 26-year-old
suspect, Frank Onyemaechi of Ama-Asaa, Ngugu, Ikeduru Local Government Area.
Acting on credible information, a search of his mobile phone revealed
disturbing images of deceased and kidnapped persons. 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.
Okoye further 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.
“Similarly, while responding to reports of armed robbery and
vehicle snatching, operatives confronted another gang attacking motorists at
gunpoint. During the suspects’ escape attempt, one driver tragically lost his
life after being attacked. The operatives arrested 25-year-old Okon Uket of
Akwa Ibom and 25-year-old Uzoma Ezugo of Asaa in Ohaji LGA, while efforts
continue to apprehend the remaining gang members.
“All arrested suspects will be thoroughly investigated and
subsequently arraigned in court on the appropriate criminal charges.
“The Commissioner of Police reassures Imolites of the
Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a safe, secure, and peaceful
yuletide season across the State,” the release stated.
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.
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