Residents of communities in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State have expressed relief following a major security operation that led to the arrest of 24 suspected criminals hiding in forested areas across the council.
The operation, carried out by the Imo State Police Command, targeted bushes and suspected criminal hideouts in Eziobodo, Ihiagwa, Nekede, and Okomochi communities amid growing concerns over alleged kidnapping and violent attacks in the area.
According to the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, the raid was conducted by operatives of the Owerri Urban Division under the supervision of Area Commander Michael Abatam, in collaboration with members of the State Security Organization and local vigilantes.
Okoye disclosed that more than 250 police officers and vigilante operatives participated in the intensive combing exercise aimed at flushing out criminal elements and restoring confidence among residents.
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During the operation, officers reportedly arrested 24 suspects found in different forest locations. Some of those identified include Jonah Abotu, 21; Abel John, 22; Ibrahim Ubande, 40; Peter Samuel, 28; Kabiru Yahaya, 20; and Yahaya Adamu, 22.
Police also recovered several exhibits, including substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, more than six unregistered motorcycles, and other items believed to be linked to criminal activities.
The suspects have since been transferred to the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Audu Garba Bosso, described the operation as successful and reiterated the command’s resolve to sustain aggressive actions against criminal activities across Imo State.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies, assuring that similar operations would continue until criminal hideouts are completely dismantled across the state.
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