Imo Police Arrest 789 Suspects, Recover 17 Firearms in Two Months

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, announced that through collaboration with allied security agencies, the State Police Command has achieved significant successes in combating criminal activity throughout the state over two months of persistent operations.

The CP reported that during this time, security personnel arrested 789 criminal suspects for various offenses, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and other crimes such as child trafficking, murder, theft and receiving stolen property.

While addressing journalists at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command in Owerri, CP Danjuma provided details on the achievements recorded over a period of two months.

He stated that during the review period, the Command successfully rescued nine kidnapped individuals and seven abducted children, many of whom have been reunited with their families.

CP Danjuma also disclosed that the operations resulted in the recovery of 17 firearms, which included AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, and locally made weapons.

Recovered items also included 72 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 673 live cartridges, nine stolen motorcycles, several improvised explosive devices (IEDs), fourteen laptops, numerous mobile phones, a significant amount of hard drugs, and counterfeit currency.

A major breakthrough occurred with the arrest of notorious IPOB/ESN terrorists who were discovered possessing weapons, ammunition, incriminating materials, and financial records. The investigations further resulted in capturing some of their sponsors and financiers, significantly curbing their illegal activities and severing crucial funding sources.

He stated, “Through collaborative efforts with partner agencies, we dismantled terrorist camps in Okigwe, Mbaitoli, and Njaba LGAs, significantly undermining their ability to conduct attacks. Amidst the continuous Joint Security Operations targeting IPOB/ESN hideouts in Njaba and Mbaitoli LGAs, some terrorists have fled to Agwa.”

He suggested that, based on reliable intelligence, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit operatives under ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa and the Special Intervention Squad led by CSP Gboyako Shaba Adamu collaborated with other security agencies to raid a camp in Obudi Agwa within Oguta LGA believed to be an IPOB hideout.

According to the CP, upon spotting the operatives, the suspects initiated a fierce gunfight but were eventually overpowered. This resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals, among them their sub-commanders Uzoechi Okechukwu and Paschal Igbuogwu.

According to CP Danjuma, authorities also recovered two AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, and 375 rounds of ammunition.

In a similar event on September 9, 2025, Onye Chukwuebuka Eriiriogu, a notorious terrorist leader, was apprehended in Ogbaku within the Mbaitoli Local Government Area. During questioning, he admitted to orchestrating multiple violent attacks alongside his gang.

“In addition to their counter-terrorism efforts, the Command’s Anti-Vice Unit discovered and dismantled a child trafficking ring. They successfully rescued a one-month-old baby who had been falsely declared dead at birth, reuniting the infant safely with its mother, Precious Ochasi from Ohuba, Ohaji,” he added.

Regarding the rescued child, the CP clarified that investigations uncovered a conspiracy involving the child’s mother’s partner, who claims to be a pastor. Along with a nurse named Blessing and a trafficking agent called Chioma, they plotted to sell the baby for N900,000.

He reported that four suspects connected to the crime were arrested, and efforts are continuing to capture the accomplices who fled.

In a related incident, the Command apprehended four alleged cult members during an intelligence-driven operation at their hideout in Amaraku, Isiala Mbano LGA. This raid resulted in the seizure of homemade pistols and live cartridges.

CP Aboki stated that the suspects admitted to being members of the Vikings Confraternity, and investigations are ongoing to locate other fleeing individuals from the cult group.

He took the opportunity to praise both State Governor Hope Uzodinma and Inspector General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun for their support in improving the welfare of the Command’s officers. This, he noted, has enhanced their operational capacity.

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