The Imo State Police Command has arrested 2,795 suspects involved in various serious crimes over the past six months as part of its intensified efforts to dismantle violent criminal networks operating across the state.
Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, disclosed this while addressing journalists on the command’s recent achievements. He stated that the arrests were for offences including kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, murder, cultism, and child trafficking.
According to CP Danjuma, the period under review also recorded the rescue of 58 kidnapped victims and 42 stolen children, many of whom have been reunited with their families.
“In the last six months, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with other divisions and formations, arrested 2,795 suspects for various serious offences,” he said. “Investigations led to the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives, including two GPMG, 14 AK-47 rifles, 20 pump-action guns, four fabricated rocket launchers, gas-cylinder explosives, locally made hand grenades, Biafran flags, and criminal charms.”
The Commissioner commended residents for their cooperation, noting that credible intelligence from the public was crucial to the command’s successes.
Providing further details, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, highlighted key arrests made during the period. He identified Amechi Onyebuchi (38), Ozioma Ihedoro (39), Cyprian Ikpegbunam (50), and Uchenna Opara (30) as alleged members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), who were arrested for attacks on security facilities and public infrastructure in Njaba Local Government Area.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives raided an IPOB/ESN camp in Njaba and arrested the suspects. High-grade weapons and explosives were recovered from the scene. During interrogation, they confessed to the kidnap and murder of one Emmanuel Oguzie on the orders of a wanted ESN commander known as Asari,” Okoye said.
In another incident, two suspects, Uche Nwachukwu (24) and Chinonso Ozirim (32), were arrested for the abduction of Anayo Iwuoha at Akabo on June 20, 2025. The victim was held at Ozirim’s residence, where a ₦2.2 million ransom was collected before his rescue by a combined team of police operatives and local vigilantes. A manhunt is ongoing for other fleeing gang members.
The police also arrested Wisdom Chinazaekpere Ogbonna (36), a member of the Vikings Confraternity, who had been on the run since his alleged involvement in the 2023 murder of a young man known as “Pikin,” who was mistakenly identified as a rival cultist. Ogbonna was initially arrested by operatives of the Orlu Division for burglary but was later linked to the cult killing after further profiling.
The command stated that all suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of investigations.
