The Imo State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, arresting 12 suspects in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

Operatives also rescued three kidnapped victims unharmed and recovered firearms, vehicles and other exhibits.

The Command said the operations were carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, local vigilante groups and key stakeholders.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed on Wednesday during the parade of the suspect at the police headquarters, Owerri, that the operations, led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, resulted in the arrest of suspects linked to kidnapping, cultism, murder and other violent crimes.

Recovered exhibits include an AK-47 rifle, two locally made double-barrel guns, four locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two vehicles, three motorcycles, a generator set and eight branded cult caps.

The Command said the breakthrough followed the abduction of five passengers along Obokofia Road in Egbema and the kidnapping of another victim in New Owerri on June 27.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Obokofia, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, on June 30, rescuing three victims unharmed and arresting seven suspected gang members, while other members escaped and are being tracked.

Police disclosed that one of the rescued victims identified a suspect, Eric John, also known as “Yahoo Welder,” as a member of the gang responsible for his abduction.

Investigations further revealed that the gang allegedly collected ₦5 million from the victim’s relatives before demanding an additional ₦50 million ransom prior to the police rescue operation.

In a separate operation on June 21, police operatives arrested five suspected members of the Senior Vikings Confraternity (SVC) during a raid at Okuku in Owerri West Local Government Area. The suspects allegedly confessed to taking part in a cult initiation on May 24 at Umuome, Umuguma, during which an unidentified man was reportedly beaten to death.

The police said operatives subsequently recovered the decomposed body of the victim and, during follow-up raids on the suspects’ hideouts, recovered two locally made pistols and two live cartridges. The Command added that investigations were ongoing to identify the deceased and apprehend other fleeing members of the cult group. (The Nation)