No fewer than 12 gunmen suspected to be connected to the series of attacks on the Owerri Correctional Center and police facilities (stations) in Imo State have been arrested.

Investigation at the weekend revealed that their arrest started with smashing of one the suspects’ camps four days ago, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, by detectives.

It was learnt this breakthrough by security operatives in the state followed the arrest of another suspected gunman in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of the state, who was identified as Izuchukwu Ohaeri.

Sources said that the security operatives have made a number of arrests at different camps and meeting venues from where the suspected gunmen take off to carry out their dastardly operations, including killings, various arsons in the state and torching of police stations.

One of the sources revealed: “On 17/04/2021 at Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area at about 02:26 pm, operatives as a follow up of an attack on Correctional Centre and police Headquarters in Owerri on the wee hour of 05/04/2021 arrested one Izuchukwu Ohaeri, aged 31, his from Isinwenke, Amakohia in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo state.”

The source, who is close to the Police in the state, further alleged that “he (Ohaeri) is a strong member of the group who has been killing security agencies personnel and burning their vehicles as well as police stations. He has confessed to the crimes.

“His arrest was made days after they murdered two policemen at Umutanze in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, on 05/01/2021.”

However, according to another source, “The security operatives have been busy since four days ago, identifying these so-called unknown gunmen.

“Many arrests have been made over 12 of them have been arrested in connection with the killings and burning of police stations.

“This is why you see somehow the relative peace we are experiencing in the state.

“In the next few days, I know that there will be a lot of improvements in the area of security. Going by the arrests of these unknown gunmen in different local government areas.”

•Adapted from a Vanguard report.

Update news