The Imo State Police Command says it has arrested 184 suspects for various crimes, including kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery, cultism, murder, rape, defilement and vehicle snatching, in intelligence-led opera
tions carried out over the past two months.
Addressing journalists in Owerri, Audu Garba Bosso said the operations also led to the rescue of three kidnapped victims unharmed and the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition and other exhibits.
According to the police commissioner, items recovered include two AK-47 rifles, several locally made firearms, 382 rounds of assorted ammunition, 18 live cartridges, seven vehicles and motorcycles, a generator, cult insignia, a human skull and suspected criminal charms.
Bosso said one of the major breakthroughs was the arrest of suspected kidnapping kingpins, Confidence Vitalis, 28, and Ishiaya Rejoice, 32, whose confessions led operatives to a suspected kidnappers’ and terrorists’ camp in the Egbema River creek in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area on July 6.
He said the operation followed the rescue of a kidnap victim on June 30 and resulted in the arrest of seven additional suspects, the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, locally fabricated guns, ammunition, a human skull and other incriminating items.
The commissioner disclosed that victims rescued by the police identified some of the suspects as members of the gang responsible for their abduction. Investigations also linked the syndicate to the killing of two personnel of the Imo State Homeland Security during an attempted kidnap in Owerri West Local Government Area on May 16.
Bosso further revealed that operatives acting on intelligence on July 7 recovered an additional 346 rounds of live ammunition and seven rifle magazines from the Obiakpu swamps in Ohaji/Egbema, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.
The police also announced the arrest of a 58-year-old suspect over the alleged sexual abuse of two 15-year-old girls in Orsu Local Government Area and a 19-year-old man accused of defiling an eight-year-old girl in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area.
The command said both cases would be prosecuted after investigations.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations across the state, urging residents to continue providing credible information to support efforts to combat crime and enhance public safety.