Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested 12 suspects linked to kidnapping, cultism, murder and other violent crimes in a series of intelligence-led operations across the state.
The operations also led to the rescue of three kidnapped victims and the recovery of firearms, vehicles and other items, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye.
The Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, said the command remains committed to tackling violent crime through intelligence-led policing and collaboration with other security agencies, local vigilante groups and community stakeholders.
According to the statement, officers led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa carried out separate operations that resulted in the arrest of 12 suspects for offences including kidnapping, cultism and murder.
Police said the operations led to the recovery of 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, three Q-Link motorcycles, a Sumec generator and eight branded cult caps.
The command said one of the major breakthroughs followed the abduction of five passengers from a commuter bus along Obokofia Road in Egbema and the kidnapping of another victim in New Owerri on June 27.
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Acting on intelligence, operatives working with officers from the Egbema Police Division raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Obokofia, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area on June 30. Three kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed, while seven suspected members of the gang were arrested. Other members of the group escaped and are being tracked.
Police identified the suspects as Eric John, also known as “Yahoo Welder”, Light Chukwuma, Obinna Osuamma, Sylvester Nnadike, Tochukwu Precious, Destiny Albert and Caroline Oziomele.
Investigators said one of the rescued victims identified Eric John as one of the kidnappers responsible for his abduction. The police also alleged that the gang collected a ₦5 million ransom from the victim’s family before demanding an additional ₦50 million before the rescue operation.
In a separate operation carried out on June 21, police arrested five suspected members of the Senior Vikings Confraternity (SVC) during an alleged cult activity in Okuku, Owerri West Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as Iwuagwu Innocent Chigozie, Okparaugo Kingsley, Uchenna Daniel Akagha, Nsubechi Ekezie and Nwaneri Chigemezue.
According to the police, the suspects confessed during interrogation to taking part in a cult initiation ceremony on May 24 at Umuome, Umuguma, where a man was allegedly beaten to death. Officers later visited the location and recovered a decomposed body believed to be connected to the incident.
Police also recovered two locally made pistols and two live cartridges during follow-up raids, while investigations continue to identify the deceased and arrest other fleeing suspects.
Bosso reassured residents that the command would continue working with security agencies and local vigilante groups to combat crime and bring offenders to justice. He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
