AfriPulse
By Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Imo State Police Command has paraded 179 criminal suspects arrested over the past two months in what could be described as a “day of harvest” against crime and criminality across the state.
The arrests according to the State Commissioner of Police, Garba Bosso during his press briefing on Friday were made through intelligence-led operations and painstaking investigations, cover a range of offences including armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, rape, cultism, stealing, receiving stolen property, obtaining money under false pretences, terrorism-related offences linked to suspected IPOB/ESN elements, and murder.
A large cache of weapons and other exhibits was also recovered. Police said the items include two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), six AK-47 rifles, ten pump-action guns, four locally fabricated single-barrel guns, one pistol, one long gun, two magazines, and a large quantity of assorted live ammunition. Other recovered items include fabricated firearms, criminal charms, seven suspected stolen vehicles, a human skull, stolen motorcycles, and various incriminating materials.
Some suspects he said have already been arraigned in court, while others remain under investigation.
Among those paraded is Mr. Uchenna Mmaduakolam, 43, a suspected commander of the proscribed Eastern Security Network (ESN) known as “Ebube Virus.” He hails from Ihiteafor-Ukwu in Ahiara Ahiazu Mbaise LGA and allegedly confessed to involvement in violent attacks across Mbaise, Ngor-Okpala, Mbano, Owerri, and Obowo LGAs.
Police also arrested six suspected members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN group during separate operations. They are Gerald Oparaji alias “Ezemuo,” Kingsley Achi, 61; Collins Mbam Chinasa, 66; Ozioma Chima, 28; Calista Onyenso, 39; and Shedrack King, 39, a native of Warri, Delta State.
From their hideouts, officers recovered two GPMG rifles, 3,115 rounds of live ammunition, four AK-47 rifles, 238 AK-47 rounds, seven pump-action guns, Biafra Liberation uniforms, two locally made single-barrel guns, one human skull, six vehicles including two Toyota Siennas and a Lexus RX 330 SUV, three motorcycles, three bags of substance suspected to be Indian hemp, and various criminal charms.
Similarly, On May 22, 2026, joint operatives of the police, military, and local vigilante groups dislodged a kidnapping camp in Ndegwu Forest, Owerri West LGA. The suspects reportedly engaged the security team in a gun duel but fled into the bush with gunshot injuries after being overpowered.
Three kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt: Mr. Ogboma Emmanuel E., 47, of Umuezu Umuagubiam, Oforola; Mr. Ugochukwu Osigwe Edmond, 60, of Umuoba Irete; and Mr. Ebere Okpara Vitus, 60. A fourth, yet-to-be-identified male victim, sustained gunshot injuries and later died in hospital.
Also, the command on May 14, 2026, arrested Chigaemezu Joseph Chukwudi, 22, of Nduawa Arondizuogu in Ideato North LGA, over allegations of rape, cyberstalking, and criminal intimidation of a 19-year-old girl. The suspect allegedly lured the victim to Lekim Royal Hotel and Suites, New Owerri, under the pretext of taking measurements for shirts, then assaulted her and recorded the act to blackmail her into further abuse. He remains in custody pending arraignment.
In another operation on April 16, 2026, operatives arrested Ifeanyi Anyandike, 24, of Etekwuru in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, for armed robbery. He was caught after a gang allegedly robbed Saviour Friday Joseph of his motorcycle along Nekede Old Road. A pump-action gun, live and expended cartridges, and the stolen motorcycle were recovered. Anyandike confessed and named other gang members who are still at large.
The CP said it has intensified intelligence-led operations, show-of-force exercises, and confidence-building patrols in Ihiagwa, Nekede, Irete, Ogbaku, and other areas of Owerri West and adjoining communities to sustain recent security gains.
“We remain committed to ensuring that emerging threats are promptly identified and decisively addressed,” the Command stated, assuring residents of continued efforts to guarantee the safety of law-abiding citizen .
Source: SunNewsOnline | Read the Full Story…
