The Imo State Police Command has dealt a major blow to criminal and terror networks operating in the state, following series of coordinated security operations that led to the arrest of 15 suspects and the recovery of heavy weapons, explosives and other incriminating materials.
Addressing journalists in Owerri while parading the arrested criminals, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, stated that the operations, conducted within the last one week gave them major break through in arresting kidnapping syndicates, armed robbery gangs and discovery of terror cells linked to the proscribed IPOB/ESN group.
He disclosed that the intelligence-driven raids resulted in the rescue of one kidnapped victim and a stolen child, both of whom have been reunited with their families.
According to the police boss, operatives recovered 10 firearms, including four AK-47 rifles, one LAR rifle and five pump-action guns, alongside 260 rounds of GPMG ammunition, 240 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 280 live cartridges and 10 improvised explosives. Other items recovered include; machetes, stolen motorcycles, vehicle number plates, mobile phones, laptops, walkie-talkies, IPOB/ESN insignia, suspected Indian hemp, counterfeit currency and criminal charms.
CP Bosso identified the arrest of five suspected kidnap kingpins in Orsuobodo, Oguta Local Government Area, as a major breakthrough. The suspects — Chinonso Ugochukwu, Chibuzor Okafor, Ohaka Chukwuka, Ezekwe Chizoba and Ezekwe Chinyere — were allegedly responsible for multiple kidnappings, murders and terror-related activities within Oguta and its environs.
He said interrogation of one of the suspects, Chinonso Ugochukwu, popularly known as Bob Adam and described as an IPOB/ESN sub-commander, led to the discovery of shallow graves in a nearby forest. Several corpses were exhumed, including the alleged remains of Pastor Chima, Jeremiah and Ugochi Nwabueze, all natives of Orsuobodo.
In a related development, the police arrested two suspects, Amucha Nkemdirim Innocent and Michael Okafor, in Umuakagu-Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area. Two pump-action guns and nine rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them.
The suspects reportedly confessed to the murder of Onyebuchi Anthony Njoku and the kidnapping of two other persons currently believed to be held hostage at an IPOB camp in Okigwe. CP Bosso said operations were ongoing to rescue the victims.
The police command also arrested one Chinaemerem Ogamba in Oru-East Local Government Area over the murder of a resident identified as Izanga. A locally made pistol was recovered from the suspect, who allegedly confessed to being a member of the proscribed terror group.
Commending the commitment of security personnel, CP Bosso said the successes recorded were a reflection of improved intelligence gathering and cooperation between security agencies and local communities.
