The Imo State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, leading to the arrest of 12 suspects, the rescue of three kidnapped victims and the recovery of firearms and other exhibits in separate intelligence-led operations.
The Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, said the operations underscore the Command’s commitment to tackling violent crime through collaboration with other security agencies, local vigilante groups and community stakeholders.
According to a statement by the Command, the operations, led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, resulted in the arrest of suspects linked to kidnapping, cultism, murder and other criminal offences.
The police also recovered one AK-47 rifle, two locally made double-barrel guns, four locally made pistols, two live cartridges, a blue Toyota Highlander SUV without registration, an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz GLK with registration number YAB 831 DQ, three Q-Link motorcycles, a Sumec generator set and eight branded cult caps.
The breakthrough followed the abduction of five passengers from a commercial bus along Obokofia Road in Egbema and the kidnapping of a young man in New Owerri on June 27.
Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives, in collaboration with officers from the Egbema Police Division, raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Obokofia, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, on June 30.
During the operation, three kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed, while seven suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate were arrested. Other members of the gang escaped and are currently being tracked by security operatives.
The arrested suspects were identified as Eric John, also known as “Yahoo Welder,” 30, from Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State but resident in Obokofia; Light Chukwuma, 18; Obinna Osuamma, 18; Sylvester Nnadike, 60; Tochukwu Precious, 22; Destiny Albert, 22; and Caroline Oziomele, 25, all residents of Obokofia in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that one of the rescued victims identified Eric John as a member of the gang responsible for his abduction.
Investigators also alleged that the suspects collected a ransom of ₦5 million from the victim’s relatives before demanding an additional ₦50 million prior to the rescue operation.
Commissioner of Police Bosso reiterated the Command’s resolve to sustain its offensive against criminal elements and ensure that those responsible for violent crimes are brought to justice.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support security efforts by promptly reporting suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency line, stressing that timely and credible information remains critical to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
