The Imo State Police Command has arrested 12 suspected criminals, rescued three kidnapped victims, and recovered a cache of weapons during a series of intelligence-led operations aimed at tackling violent crime across the state.
Speaking while parading the suspects on Tuesday, the Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said the operations were carried out under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, as part of ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping, cultism, murder, and other criminal activities.
According to him, officers led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa arrested the suspects in separate operations and recovered one AK-47 rifle, two locally made double-barrel guns, four locally fabricated pistols, and two live cartridges.
The police also recovered a blue Toyota Highlander SUV without registration plates, an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz GLK with registration number YAB 831 DQ, three Q-Link motorcycles, a Sumec generator, and eight branded cult caps believed to belong to a cult group.
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Okoye explained that the operation followed the recent abduction of five passengers from a commuter bus along Obokofia Road in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, as well as the kidnapping of a young man in New Owerri.
He said police operatives, working alongside officers from the Egbema Police Division, stormed a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Obokofia, where they rescued three victims unharmed and arrested seven suspected members of the gang. Other suspects reportedly escaped and are currently being tracked.
Among those arrested are Eric John, also known as “Yahoo Welder,” from Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, 18-year-old Light Chukwuma Obinna, 60-year-old Sylvester Nnadike, 22-year-old Destiny Albert, and 25-year-old Caroline Oziomele, all from Obokofia in Ohaji/Egbema LGA.
Police said one of the rescued victims identified Eric John as one of those involved in his abduction. Investigations further revealed that the gang had already collected ₦5 million from the victim’s family and later demanded an additional ₦50 million ransom before security operatives rescued the victim.
In a separate operation, police also arrested five suspected members of the Senior Vikings Confraternity (SVC) while they were allegedly carrying out cult-related activities at Okuku in Owerri West Local Government Area.
According to the spokesperson, the suspects confessed during interrogation that they participated in a cult initiation ceremony at Umuome, Umuguma, which allegedly resulted in the death of an unidentified man.
The Commissioner of Police reassured residents that the command remains committed to sustaining its crackdown on criminal elements through collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency line, stressing that timely information remains vital in protecting lives and property.
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