The Imo state police command said it has arrested 14 suspected armed robber, Kidnappers and related criminal crimes.
This was made known to newsmen by Imo state commissioner for police, CP Isaac O. Akinmoyede at the state’s police headquarters Owerri in a press briefing.
Crimefacts.News has reported how hoodlums hijacked EndSARS protest in Imo where many police division were burnt and scores of police and military officer also killed thereby escalating in the state.
THE FULL. BRIEFING BY IMO CP AKINMOYEDE
My beloved partners in the media
Once again I am delighted to have you around to keep you abreast with the recent happenings as regards to crime bursting and prevention in Imo State.
The past few months witnessed some ugly incidents in the nation owing to the ENDSARS protest which was hijacked by hoodlums, as such some police stations were attacked and some Police and Military personnel killed in cold blood. However, the command has remained unhindered in its resolve to fight crime and criminality in our dear state.
I therefore want to assure Ndi-Imo that the command in collaboration with all the security agencies in the state remains in control of the security situation in the state despite the temporary setback.
Sequel to that, I wish to showcase to you 14suspects involved in various violent crimes ranging from Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Unlawful Possession of Arms etc.
I wish to use this opportunity to tell Imolites that adequate arrangements has been emplaced for a peaceful yuletide period, as such a total of Three Thousand Five Hundred (3500) policemen shall be deployed for the yuletide operations, I urge them to feel free to celebrate as the command remains in the business of protecting lives and properties of Imolites.
Thank you and God bless you all.
1. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF ARMS/AMMUNITIONS
SUSPECTS:
1. MATTHEW NDUBUEZE AGED 25 YRS “M”
2. OBINNA ONYETUGE AGED 32YRS “M”
3. BENJAMIN EMMANSO AGED 36 YRS “M”
4. ONYEKA OGUERI AGED 42 YRS “M”
5. BRIGHT WELE AGED 26 YRS ” M”
EXHIBITS:
1. TWO (2) AK 47 RIFFLE NOS. 04419 AND 3H6100
2. ONE (1) LOCALLY MADE PISTOL
3. SEVENTY SEVEN 77) ROUNDS OF 7.62 MM LIVE AMMUNITION
4. SIX (6) AK47 MAGAZINES
On 30/11/2020 at about 2145hrs, operatives of the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum/Illegal Bunkering attached to Imo State Command while on duty at Amala, Ngor Okpalla nipping point, accosted four (4) young men on two motorcycles. While being questioned by the Policemen, they took to their heels and were subsequently chased. In the process, one of the hoodlums one Mathew Ndubueze ‘m’ aged 25yrs of Otulu in Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA of Imo State was arrested.
Sequel to the above, I directed the transfer of the case to the Command Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU). Upon receipt of the case, the Unit swung into action and on 3/12/2020, the operatives arrested one Onyeka Ogueri ‘m’ aged 42yrs of Umuoparaodu, Abaeke in Ihitte Uboma LGA, Obinna Onyetuge ‘m’ 32yrs of Obodo Amaimo in Ikeduru LGA, Benjamin Emmanso ‘m’ 36yrs of Amaeke Inyishi in Ikeduru LGA, all of Imo State and Bright Wele ‘m’ 26yrs of Ozoagba in Obiakpo LGA, Rivers State. At the point of arrest, the following weapons were recovered from them: Two AK47 Riffle Nos. 04419 and 3H6100, One Locally Made Pistol, Seventy Seven (77) Rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition and Six AK47 Magazines.
They however confessed to be on their way for a robbery operation in Rivers state.
2. ARREST OF MURDER SUSPECT/CULTIST
SUSPECT:
- UCHE UYANA AKA ONYE ARMY ‘M’ AGED 33YRS OLD
EXHIBITS:
1. ONE LIGHT ASSAULT RIFLE (LAR)
2. ONE GENERAL PIRPOSE MACHINE GUN (GPMG)
3. TWENTY-SIX (26) ROUNDS OF LAR AMMUNITIONS.
4. ONE HUNDRED (100) ROUNDS OD 0.9MM LIVE AMMUNITION (IN CHAIN).
5. FOURTEEN (14) AK47 MAGAZINES.
“Sequel to the killing of the outlawed Johnson Igwe aka ‘Don Wanny’ in Rivers State by the Joint Task Force, some members of his gang fled to neighboring states including Imo State. In response to my directive to rid Imo State of all forms of crimes and mop-up illegal firearms in circulation, operatives of the Command at Umuanunu, Obinze in Owerri West LGA, arrested a notorious kidnapper/armed robber, Uche Uyana AKA ‘Onye Army’ 33yrs old, a native of Umudike Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Imo State.
Preliminary investigation revealed that he is a strong member of the late Don Wanny gang and was responsible for the killing of two soldiers attached to 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, sometime in March 2019, during an operation. Recovered from him are LAR Rifle with 26 rounds of live ammunition, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) with One Hundred Rounds (100) of 0.9mm live ammunitions (in chains) and Fourteen (14) AK47 magazines. He confessed to being the armourer of the gang.
3. KIDNAPPING
COMPLAINANT: MAGNUS UWALATO ‘M’ OF EZIUDO EZINIHITTEBAISE LGA
VICTIM: LOLO CECILIA ILOH ‘F’ OF EZIUDO EZINIHITTE MBAISE
SUSPECT: OPARA REGINALD ‘M’ AGED 24YRS OF IBEKU OKWUATO IN ABOH
MBAISE LGA, ALL IN IMO STATE
On 8/11/2020 at about 0700hrs, a four man kidnap gang operating in a Toyota Corolla car with Reg. No. AB 803 ABB, invaded Eziudo in Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA and kidnapped one Lolo Cecilia Iloh. While escaping with their victim who was bundled into the trunk of their car, the victim raised an alarm which attracted the attention of the neighbors. As a result, the villagers gave the hoodlums a hot chase which led to their abandoning the victim and their Toyota Corolla car while fleeing. Consequently, one Opara Reginald ‘m’ of Ibeku Okwuato in Aboh Mbaise LGA of Imo State, was arrested and handed over to the Police. On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and made useful statement. Investigation is ongoing.
4. ARMED ROBBERY
COMPLAINANT: UGWUADU CHINEDUM ‘M’
VICTIM: RAPHAEL UGWU ‘M’ BOTH OF UMUAJAKA
SUSPECT: OMEREONYE CHINEMEREM ‘M’ AGED 29YRS OF UMUDIBIA AKATA
IN ORU EAST LGA, IMO STATE.
EXHIBIT:
1. ONE (1) BROWN COLOURED DAIHATSU MINI BUS WITH REG. NO. BKL 124 ZJ.
On 24/2/2020, a two man gang of armed robbers tricked one Raphael UGWU ‘m’, a commercial bus driver with his DAIHATSU Mini Bus with Reg. No. BKL 124 ZJ to a lonely road along Owerri/Onitsha Road under the guise of chattering him and on gun point dispossessed him of the said vehicle. On receipt of the information, the tactical units were mandated to recover the vehicle and possibly arrest the hoodlums. Furthermore, incident report was sent to various commands seeking collaborative efforts in the recovery of the vehicle.
On 30/6/2020, one Omereonye Chinemerem ‘m’ of Umudibia Akatta Ubamma in Obigbo LGA of Rivers State, was arrested at Amasoma in Bayelsa State by operatives of Operation Puff Adder and handed over to Imo State Police Command on 17/11/2020.
On interrogation, suspect confessed to series of robbery of mini buses from unsuspected victims in Imo State. However at the point of arrest, two DAIHATSU mini buses were recovered from him as follows:-
i. One (1) brown coloured Daihatsu Mini Bus with Reg. No. BKL 124 ZJ.
ii. One (1) white coloured Daihatsu Mini Bus with Reg No. AFK 235 ZY. Case is still under investigation.
5. ARMED ROBBERY
SUSPECT: CHIBUEZE DENIS ‘M’ AGED 20YRS OF UMUDURUOGBA OKWUDOR IN NJABA LGA, IMO STATE.
On 26/11/2020 at about 1300hrs, information was received that a gang of armed robbers terrorizing Owerri/Umuaka/Orlu Road and its environs was hibernating and planning their criminal expedition in an isolated house at Okwudor in Njaba LGA. On receipt of the information, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in synergy with other tactical teams stormed their criminal hideout and arrested one Chibueze Denis ‘m’ of the same address. He confessed to series of armed robbery operations and volunteered statement. However, at the point of arrest, the following items were recovered from him: –
EXHIBIT RECOVERED
1. ONE LAR RIFLE NO. 07011177
2. ONE PUMP ACTION RIFLE NO. 67572
3. ONE LOCALLY MADE REVOLVER PISTOL
4. ONE ITALIAN BROWNING PISTOL.
5. FORTY FIVE (45) LIVE CARTRIDGES.
6. THREE (3) 9.MM LIVE AMMUNITION
7. ONE BLUE COLOURED LEXUS 300 WITH REG. NO. UMD 882 AA
8. ONE GREEN COLOURED Q-LINK MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT REGISTRATION NUMBER
9. ONE BLUE COLOURED MATE 90 YAMAHA REGISTRATION NUMBER KED731QR
10.ONE CUTTING AND ONE FILLING MACHINE SUSPECTED TO BE IMPLEMENTS OF HOUSE BREAKING.
Investigation is ongoing.
6. KIDNAPPING/ARMED ROBBERY
SUSPECT: GODSWILL AMAEFULA AGED 39YRS ‘M’ OF AFOUGIRI UMUEVU OKPALA UMUAHIA NORTH LGA ABIA STATE.
The suspect Godswill Amaefula is a serial kidnapper/Armed Robbery suspect who featured prominently in series of kidnapping/Armed Robbery cases within Imo Abia and Rivers State. He escaped from operatives during an encounter which led to the arrest of his members on 8/6/2020. He was among the gang that kidnapped and robbed some persons at different locations and dates within the state.
On crack down of his gang, he escaped and sojourn in his home town Afougiri Umuevu Okpula Umuahia North L.G.A Abia State from where he sneaked into Owerri on 24/11/2020 to procure AK47 rifle for a planned kidnap of the Director of 11:45 Hotel and Suites. Through credible intelligence suspect was arrested and he confessed to have participated in various kidnapping and robbery operations in Imo State. He stated that his reason for sourcing for arms was because their arms were seized by Policemen during one of their operations at Umuokpo Emeabiam Owerri West L.G.A Imo State.However, the following items were recovered from him at the point of arrest.
EXHIBITS RECOVERED/FROM HIS GANG MEMBERS
1. TWO AK-47 RIFLE BREECH NOS. CK 08699, BL 18582
2. NINETY (90) ROUNDS OF 7.62MM LIVE AMMUNITION
3. ONE PUMP ACTION RIFLE
4. ONE ASH COLOURED VENTO CAR REGISTRATION NUMBER PF 637 ENU
7. KIDNAPPING/ARMED ROBBERY
VICTIM:
1. OBINALI ARINZE AGED 28YRS
2. IGBOECHUONWU TIMOTHY AGED 28YRS ‘M’ BOTH OF OBIOHURU ISIALA MBANO
LGA IMO STATE
SUSPECTS:
- VICTOR EHIRIM AGED 24YRS ‘M’ OF EJEMEKURU OGUTA L.G.A IMO STATE.
2. CHIKA GOGSTIME AGED 36YRS ‘M’ OF UMUASUA ISUIKWUATO L.G.A ABIA STATE
3. ARINZE ONWUEGBUCHU AGED 31YRS OF IZOMBE OGUTA L.G.A IMO STATE.
On 15/11/2020 one Victor Ehirim ‘m’ and Chika Godstime through a phone call lured one Obinali Arinze ‘m’ and Igboecheonwu Timothy ‘m’ to Nwaorieubi, Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State, under the guise of giving them a building contract. On getting to Nwaorieubi, Mbaitoli LGA, an unknown motor cyclist surfaced and took them to a lonely road where they were abducted. They were kept hostage in a forest, dispossessed of their GSM handset and First Bank ATM Cards, the hoodlums used the victim’s ATM Cards to siphon the funds in their accounts. However, the hoodlums later called for ransom of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00).
On receipt of the information, operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit swung into action and on 2/12/2020, through credible intelligence, stormed the kidnappers hideout at Izombe, Oguta L.G.A, Imo State and arrested Victor Ehirim aged 24yrs ‘m’ of Ejemekuru, Oguta L.G.A, Imo State, Chika Gogstime aged 36yrs ‘m’ of Umuasua, Isuikwuato, L.G.A Abia State, (Arinze Onwuegbuchu ‘m’ aged 31yrs of Izombe Oguta L.G.A Imo State). They confessed to the crime and led operatives to arrest the criminal receiver of the stolen items, one Arinze Onwuegbuchu ‘m’ of same address. Investigation is ongoing.
8. ARREST OF KIDNAP SUSPECT
SUSPECT: 1. OPARA IKECHUKWU ‘M’ AGED 30YRS OF UMOVUM ULAKWO
On 8/12/2020 about 1400hrs, one Eugene Madufor ‘m’ of Umuechem Elelem, Ngor Okpala in Imo State, reported that on same date about 1030hrs, he received an anonymous phone cal. The caller who introduced himself as a member of IYC Boys Ulakwo, informing him that his junior brother, one Wisdom Eke ‘m’ of same address has been kidnapped, and thereby demanding a ransom of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000). On receipt of the information, Operatives of the Divisional Police Headquarters, Agballa, swiftly swung into action, upon diligent investigation, stormed the hideout of the kidnappers and one Opara Ikechukwu ‘m’ aged 30yrs of Umovum Ulakwo was arrested, while the victim was rescued unhurt. Case has been transferred to Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command for further investigation. Efforts are in progress to arrest other fleeing suspects.
SUMMARY OF ARRESTS MADE
NO. OF SUSPECTS ARRESTED
Kidnapping/Armed Robbery 4
Kidnapping 2
Murder/Cultism 1
Armed Robbery 2
Unlawful Possession 5
Total Number of Suspects Arrested 14
NO. OF VEHICLES RECOVERED:
1. One (1) Brown Coloured Daihatsu Mini Bus with Reg. No. BKL 124 ZJ.
2. One Blue Coloured Lexus 300 with Reg. No. UMD 882 AA
3. One Ash Coloured Vento Car Registration Number PF 637 ENU
NO. OF MOTORCYCLES RECOVERED:
1. One Green Coloured Q-Link Motorcycle without Registration Number.
2. One Blue Coloured Mate 90 Yamaha Registration Number KED731QR.
NO. OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION RECOVERED:
1. Two (2) Light Assault Rifles (LAR),
2. Four (4) AK47 Rifles
3. One (1) General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG),
4. Two (2) Pump Action Rifles.
5. Two (2) Locally Made Pistols
6. One (1) Italian Browning Pistol.
NO. OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION RECOVERED:
1. Three (3) Live Ammunition
2. Twenty-Six (26) Rounds Of LAR Ammunitions,
3. One Hundred (100) Rounds of 0.9mm Live Ammunition (in Chain)
4. Forty Five (45) Live Cartridges
5. One Hundred and Eighty Nine (189) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition
6. Six (6) AK47 magazines
OTHER EXHIBITS RECOVERED INCLUDES:
1. One Cutting Machine
2. One Filling Machine Suspected To Be Implements Of House Breaking
