Police: 2,785 suspects arrested, 58 kidnapped victims rescued in Imo within six months

The Imo police command says its operatives have arrested 2,785 suspects and rescued 58 kidnapped victims in the past six months.

Henry Okoye, police spokesperson in Imo, said in a statement on Saturday that the operations were carried out by the anti-kidnapping unit in collaboration with other divisions and tactical teams.

Okoye said the suspects were arrested for kidnapping, terrorism, murder, armed robbery, cultism, and child trafficking.

He said 42 stolen children were also recovered and reunited with their families.

The police spokesperson said operatives also recovered two GPMGs, 14 AK-47 rifles, 20 pump-action guns, four fabricated rocket launchers, seven gas-cylinder explosives, locally made hand grenades, live ammunition, cartridges, Biafran flags, and criminal charms.

Okoye said four suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), were among those arrested.

He identified the suspected IPOB members as Amechi Onyebuchi, 38; Ozioma Ihedoro, 39; Cyprian Ikpegbunam, 50; and Uchenna Opara, 30.

He noted that they were allegedly behind attacks on security formations and public infrastructure in Njaba LGA of the state.

Okoye said the suspects were arrested during a raid on an IPOB/ESN camp, adding that they confessed to the kidnap and killing of one Emmanuel Oguzie on the order of a wanted ESN commander known as Asari.

The police spokesperson said two suspected kidnappers identified as Uche Nwachukwu, 24, and Chinonso Ozirim, 32, were arrested in a separate operation for abducting one Anayo Iwuoha in his compound at Akabo on June 20.

“The suspects held the victim at Chinonso Ozirim’s residence and collected a N2.2 million ransom,” the statement reads.

“Operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit, working with local vigilantes, rescued the victim and arrested the suspects. A manhunt is ongoing for their fleeing accomplices.”

Okoye said police also arrested Wisdom Ogbonna, 36, a member of the Vikings Confraternity, who had been on the run for two years over the killing of a man nicknamed ‘Pikin’.

He said Ogbonna was initially arrested for burglary in Orlu but was later linked to the murder during profiling by the anti-kidnapping unit.

“All suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” Okoye added.

The police spokesperson urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity via 0813 478 3532 or 0815 802 4755.