The Police in Imo has arrested 12 suspects, recovered arms and rescued 3 kidnapped victims.
Addressing Journalists after parading of the suspects, the Command’s Spokesperson, Henry Okoye said under Audu Garba Bosso, the state police commissioner, continued offensive against violent crime through intelligence-led policing has been sustained.
He informed that during the period under review, operatives of the Command, led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, arrested the twelve suspects in separate operations for offences bordering on kidnapping, cultism, murder, and other violent crimes.
He added that the operations also led to the rescue of the three kidnapped victims and the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, two locally made double-barrel guns, four locally made pistols and two live cartridges.
Other recovered items include, one blue Toyota Highlander SUV without a registration number, one ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz GLK Jeep with registration number YAB 831 DQ, three Q-Link motorcycles, one Sumec generator set, and eight branded cult caps.
Okoye hinted that the Command intensified its operations following recent abduction of five passengers from a commuter bus along Obokofia Road in Ohaji -Egbema LGA of the State and subsequent kidnapping of a young man in New Owerri within the State Capital.
“The State Police Command launched a coordinated intelligence-led operation to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command, in synergy with operatives of Egbema Police Division, raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Obokofia in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, rescuing three kidnapped victims unharmed and arresting seven suspected members of the gang, while other fleeing suspects are being trailed.”he said.
The Command’s Spokesperson identified the suspects as Eric John also known as Yahoo Welder, native of Ughelli South LGA, Delta State, 18 year old Light Chukwuma Obinna, 60 year old Sylvester Nnadike, Destiny Albert 22 and Caroline Oziomele, 25, all from Obokofia, Ohaji/Egbema LGA.
He further hinted that one of the rescued victims identified one of the arrested suspects, Eric John, as a member of the gang responsible for his abduction.
koye added that investigation revealed that the gang had collected ₦5 million from the victim’s relatives and subsequently demanded an additional ₦50 million ransom before the victim was rescued during the operation.
In another development, the Command, during an intelligence-led operation, arrested five suspected cultists identified as members of the Senior Vikings Confraternity, also known as SVC, while carrying out cult-related activities at Okuku in Owerri West LGA.
The Command’s spokesperson, said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to have participated in a cult initiation ceremony held at Umuome, Umuguma, Owerri West, which led to the death of yet to be identified man.
Okoye added that the State Police Commissioner, is reassuring residents that the command remains committed to combating crime, strengthening collaboration with other security agencies, local vigilante groups, in ensuring that all offenders are brought to justice.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s emergency line 0803 477 3600, maintaining that timely and credible information remains vital to protecting lives and property.
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