The Nigeria Police in Imo State has busted a criminal gang operating within the FUTO and Ihiagwa community axis in Owerri West LGA and arrested seven armed robbery suspects following an intelligence led operation.
The operation also led to recovery of sundry arms and ammunition following a search of the criminals’ hideout.
A press statement issued through the desk of the Command’s Spokesperson, Henry Okoye, stated that the operation leading to the arrest of the suspects was in line with the Command’s sustained efforts to combat violent crime within the State.
Okoye hinted that the operation followed a report made on July 18, 2026, by a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede who alleged that he was robbed at gunpoint along the FUTO- Ihiagwa road.
He asserted that operatives of the Command acting on the report, carried out strategic operation leading to the arrest of three suspects, Stanley Nwachukwu, Moses Okezie and Gabriel Confidence.
According to him, the suspects, after being transferred to the Anti Kidnapping Unit for further investigation, confessed to being members of the Vikings Confraternity and provided information that led to the arrest of four additional suspects identified as Emeka Oguike, Gideon Kadiri, Nnodim David and Kingsley Okwara.
“The arrests were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within the student community. Searches conducted during the operation led to the recovery of one cut-to-size English-made single-barrel gun, one locally made revolver pistol, one locally made single-barrel gun, and four rounds of live cartridges.” Okoye informed.
The Command’s spokesperson added that an investigation is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
Reacting to the arrest, the State Police Commissioner, CP Audu Garba Bosso, commended the operatives for their professionalism and reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to combating cultism, armed robbery, and other violent crimes.
He urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information.
Police arrest seven armed robbery suspects, recovers arms in Imo university community