The Imo State Police Command has, in a statewide operation, arrested nine criminal suspects involved in heinous activities ranging from kidnapping and robbery to cult-related offences.
In the course of the operation, the command also rescued a kidnapped victim and recovered three pump-action guns, two AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, 31 rounds of ammunition and 37 live cartridges.
The operation, according to the command\u2019s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, was carried out in line with the mandate of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, to decisively stamp out violent crimes and criminal networks across the state.
He stated that through intensified operations by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, the command was able to achieve success.
Okoye disclosed that in one of the operations, officers arrested suspects Odinaka Ekwebelem, Ejike Sunday and Chinedu Duru, who were linked to the abduction of a young man at Faith Glorious Assembly Church, Awo-Omamma, on November 16, 2025.
He revealed that personnel of the command, acting on intelligence, traced the gang to a forest, rescued the victim and recovered two assault rifles.
In a similar operation, operatives arrested a 26-year-old suspect, Frank Onyemaechi of Ama-Asaa, Ngugu, Ikeduru Local Government Area. Acting on credible information, a search of his mobile phone revealed disturbing images of deceased and kidnapped persons. A follow-up search led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and the arrest of his wife, 24-year-old Chidimma Onyemaechi, who allegedly attempted to hide the weapon.
Okoye further revealed that in another development, personnel of the Command raided a criminal hideout in Nchoko, Oru East, leading to the arrest of 22-year-old Nkwusi Tochukwu Casmir, 29-year-old Uchenna Ike and 27-year-old Ikwunna David. The suspects, according to the statement, confessed to being members of the NBM cult group terrorising the area.
The command\u2019s spokesperson added that a manhunt is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices linked to the group.
\u201cSimilarly, while responding to reports of armed robbery and vehicle snatching, operatives confronted another gang attacking motorists at gunpoint. During the suspects\u2019 escape attempt, one driver tragically lost his life after being attacked. The operatives arrested 25-year-old Okon Uket of Akwa Ibom and 25-year-old Uzoma Ezugo of Asaa in Ohaji LGA, while efforts continue to apprehend the remaining gang members.
\u201cAll arrested suspects will be thoroughly investigated and subsequently arraigned in court on the appropriate criminal charges.
\u201cThe Commissioner of Police reassures Imolites of the Command\u2019s unwavering commitment to ensuring a safe, secure, and peaceful yuletide season across the State,\u201d the release stated.
The command also used the opportunity to urge residents to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, and to avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Imo State Police Command has, in a statewide operation, arrested nine criminal suspects involved in heinous activities ranging from kidnapping and robbery to cult-related offences. In the course of the operation, the command also rescued a kidnapped victim and recovered three pump-action guns, two AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, 31 rounds of ammunition […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":416,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n