By CHARLES IWUOHA

In its renewed vigour to fight crime, the Imo State Police Command paraded 17 criminal suspects arrested for various offenses including terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery, and also rescued two victims from their kidnappers early today.

The operation was carried out by the anti-kidnapping unit of the command.

Parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters, Police Commissioner, CP Aboki Danjuma, told journalists that the suspects were arrested at their hideouts in various locations within the state.

According to him, the command arrested seven people suspected of engaging in terrorist activities within the Oguta axis.

They were found with 2 pump action guns, 2 locally made pistols, one single-barrel firearm, 25 rounds of live cartridges, various denominations of Biafran currencies, a live tortoise, a crocodile, and charms.

These suspects, including gang leader Temple Igwe, were arrested at Nkwesi, Oguta LGA, Imo State, in Sabbath Mission where they hid before and after operations.

Another criminal syndicate was also dismantled by the crack squad at Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA, Imo State. 28-year-old Oluomachi Iheanacho from Amato Umulolo Amuzu, Aboh Mbaise LGA, and his colleague Chisom Samuel from the same local government were arrested in connection with the murder of Divisional Police Officer SP Magnus Abalu of Ahiazu Mbaise and Inspector Ikechukwu Nwanchor on November 27, 2023. The gang was also involved in the murders of two traditional rulers, HRH Eze J.B. Ochulor in Amumara, Ezinihitte Mbaise, and HRH Eze James Mirioma in Ngurunweke, Aboh Mbaise LGA.

They were also implicated in the killing of five police officers attached to Oke-Uvuru Police Division in Okpala, Ngor-Okpala LGA of the state.

The Police Chief disclosed that the police action dislodged a terrorist camp at Umuogu Amuzu, Aboh Mbaise LGA, Imo State, resulting in the neutralization of IPOB/ESN terrorist commander Prince Jerry, alias “ICHAKA,” on December 7, 2023, with others fleeing to unknown locations.

Another breakthrough was made by the command, where 32-year-old Oguamanam from Obokwu Avu in Owerri West LGA and 30-year-old Sunny Chikezie from Diakuna Umuna, Onuimo, were arrested for kidnapping 21-year-old Adizuo Clinton and Favour Okeke. Two locally made pistols and a white small bus with registration number SKA 99XB were recovered from them.

Another suspect, 33-year-old Ikenna Koriee from Umualumaku Umuoyia, Ehime Mbano LGA, and his twin brother Uchenna Korie were involved in armed robbery, burglary, and vandalization of government properties. Two locally made pistols, solar panels, Geepee tanks, and household properties were recovered from them.

A three-man gang specializing in kidnapping, primarily targeting building engineers, was arrested after one victim identified one of the perpetrators. They operated mainly in Awo-Mberi, Mbaitoli areas, dragging victims into the bush, robbing them via ATM cards and cash, and demanding ransom before release.

The police report concluded by assuring the people of the state that the command remains committed to its efforts to eliminate criminal elements.

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