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The Imo State Police Command has arrested 15 suspects over alleged offences ranging from kidnapping, murder and armed robbery to cultism, child trafficking and terrorism-related activities.
The new Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Audu Garba Bosso, paraded the suspects at the command headquarters in Owerri on Monday, saying the arrests were made within the past week through coordinated intelligence-led operations.
Bosso disclosed that the operations also led to the rescue of one kidnapped victim and a stolen child, both of whom have been reunited with their families, as well as the recovery of arms, ammunition and other incriminating items.
According to the police commissioner, recovered items include 10 firearms—comprising four AK-47 rifles, one LAR rifle and five pump-action guns—260 rounds of GPMG ammunition, 240 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 280 live cartridges, 10 improvised explosive devices, 11 machetes, five stolen motorcycles, 32 vehicle number plates, 32 mobile phones, five laptops, two walkie-talkies, suspected Indian hemp, IPOB/ESN insignia, counterfeit currency and charms.
Bosso said a major breakthrough was the arrest of five suspected kidnappers — Chinonso Ugochukwu, Chibuzor Okafor, Ohaka Chukwuka, Ezekwe Chizoba and Ezekwe Chinyere — all from Orsuobodo in Oguta Local Government Area. He alleged that the suspects were involved in a series of kidnappings, killings and other violent crimes within Oguta and neighbouring communities.
Items allegedly recovered from the suspects include three AK-47 rifles without serial numbers, one LAR rifle, three pump-action guns, live cartridges, locally fabricated explosives, charms, and IPOB/ESN insignia.
The police commissioner further alleged that one of the suspects, Chinonso Ugochukwu, also known as “Bob Adam,” identified as an IPOB/ESN sub-commander, confessed to several crimes and provided information that led to the discovery of shallow graves in a forest where multiple bodies were allegedly buried.
In a related development, operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested two suspects — Amucha Nkemdirim Innocent and Michael Okafor, both of Umuakagu-Nsu in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area — over alleged involvement in kidnapping and murder. Two pump-action guns and nine rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them, police said.
Bosso added that the suspects allegedly confessed to the killing of one Onyebuchi Anthony Njoku and the abduction of two other persons, who are believed to be held hostage in a forest camp in Okigwe. He said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.
The commissioner also disclosed the arrest of Chinaemerem Ogamba of Ubaheze Omoma in Oru-East Local Government Area over the alleged murder of one Izanga. A locally made pistol was recovered, while the suspect reportedly claimed involvement with the proscribed IPOB/ESN group.
Bosso assured residents that investigations were ongoing and that all suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
