The Imo State Police Command has arrested 179 suspects for various crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, cultism and terrorism-related offences, during a two-month crackdown across the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Garba Bosso, disclosed this on Friday while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Owerri.
Bosso said the arrests followed intelligence-led operations and investigations carried out in different parts of the state.
Items recovered from the suspects included two General Purpose Machine Guns, six AK-47 rifles, 10 pump-action guns, locally made firearms, ammunition, seven suspected stolen vehicles, motorcycles, criminal charms and a human skull.
Among the suspects paraded was a 43-year-old alleged commander of the proscribed Eastern Security Network, identified as Uchenna Mmaduakolam, popularly known as “Ebube Virus.”
The police also arrested six suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and ESN during separate operations.
According to the CP, operatives recovered two GPMG rifles, 3,115 rounds of live ammunition, four AK-47 rifles, vehicles, motorcycles and substances suspected to be Indian hemp from the suspects’ hideouts.
Bosso further disclosed that joint security operatives recently dislodged a suspected kidnapping camp in Ndegwu Forest in Owerri West Local Government Area.
He said three kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt during the operation, while a fourth victim later died in hospital from gunshot injuries sustained during the incident.
The police commissioner added that some of the suspects had been arraigned, while investigations into other cases were ongoing.
He assured residents that the command had intensified security operations and patrols in parts of the state to tackle emerging threats and ensure the safety of law-abiding citizens.
