By Oloko Reginald
Men and officers of Nigerian Police, Imo state command have rounded up 435 suspected criminals even as they recovered 48 firearms with different calibres of ammunition.
It will be recalled that the crime rate in the state was at the peak before the deployment of Aboki Danjuma as imo state Commissioner of Police in November 2023. And since then crime fighting has continually had a field day.
Briefing journalists while parading the suspects on Saturday, the Commissioner of Police who was represented by the command Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO ASP Henry Okoye explained that the suspects were arrested for different criminal offences ranging from Murder, Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Terrorism, Advance Fee-Fraud, Cultism Activities, Stealing to Receiving Stolen Properties.
Okoye stated that the suspects were arrested by different police divisions and Command’s tactical units adding that eighteen (18) kidnap victims were rescued and ten (10 ) snatched vehicles were recovered.
Giving insight PPRO disclosed that Imo command ‘s Anti-kidnapping Unit led by CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa cracked down the inglorious kidnap syndicate responsible for the abduction and the brutal murder of retired Major General Richard Duru after ripping the family off of $50000.
In his words,’ Chukwunonso Emmanuel ‘M, a native of Uke in Idemili North L.G.A Anambra State, was arrested in Lagos while attempting to obtain a new plate number for the victim’s Mercedes Benz car. His confessions led to the Arrest of two members of the gang, Okoroigwe Goodness, 24 years ‘M’ and Innocent Ogu, 54 Yrs, old ‘m’.
‘The suspects confessed to the crime of Kidnapping cum murder of the Retired Major General Richard Duru and equally confessed membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) /Eastern Security Network (ESN). They will certainly have their day in court upon completion of the ongoing investigation
He also stated ,’a group of armed terrorists/kidnappers invaded the house of one Obi Fredrick ‘m’, abducted him, and took him to Okija in Anambra State, robbed him of about Nine Million Naira (N9, 000, 000) and other properties like Lexus 330 RX SUV and other valuables. The terrorists/kidnappers gave him a deep cut on his hand and threw him inside Okija River.
‘Embolden by their recent success, the organized criminal gang continued their nefarious acts, invading the residence of the victim’s brother, abducting his pregnant wife and four-year-old son, and holding them hostage in their hideout at Eziama Ubulu in Oru-West L.G.A of Imo State. Following technical intelligence, Operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit Owerri stormed the hideout, dislodged the kidnappers, arrested one suspect named Obi Chidera Collins, and rescued the victims unhurt.
‘Similarly, An Intense follow-up to a diligently gathered actionable intelligence by operatives of the Command’s Scorpion Squad led to the arrest of Chimaobi Mbagwu ‘m’ of Okohia Isiekenesi, in Ideato South LGA of Imo State, allegedly involved in the kidnap of some happy youths who went to Hadel along Spibath, Umodu Mbieri Road to cheer the Nigerian Super Eagles who were slugging it out with the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire on the 11th day of February 2024. His confessions led to the arrest of Chuks Olise ‘m’ of Onitsha Ukwan, Delta State, who received some of the victims’ vehicles. One Lexus RX 330 Jeep with Registration number RBG 340 DU and a Toyota Camry car with Reg NO. RSH 869 FA, were recovered from the suspects.
“In a different development, Operatives of Ahaizu Mbaise Divisional Headquarters, through painstaking investigations, arrested a 31-year-old young man for shooting his relative, Chisom Njoku Ubaike ‘m’ 30yrs, to death over a land dispute. On interrogation, the suspect confessed that on 06/05/2024, he had an altercation with the victim over a land dispute, during which he brought out a locally made single-barrel gun and shot him in the chest.
‘Following a tip-off received from a concerned citizen that a gang of cultists was attacking the residents of Holy’s Home Lodge at Umuofocha, Nekede, Operatives of Nekede Divisional Headquarters led by the DPO, CSP Osifo Stanley swiftly mobilized to the scene and arrested three suspects namely; Onumajuru Chinedum ‘m’ 20yrs, Amakor Godswill ‘m’, 21yrs and Ikechukwu Franklin ‘m’, 25yrs, were arrested. On interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Vikings confraternity. A thorough investigation is ongoing to arrest other members at large.
“On 04/04/2024, at about 1400hrs, Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, while on intelligence-led patrol along Owerri/Aba Road, intercepted one black colour Hummer Bus with registration number EPE 702 YE, conveying refrigerators. The occupants abandoned the said vehicle and took to their heels on sighting the operatives but were given a hot chase which led to the arrest of Lucky Sunday, ‘m’ 40yrs, of Ndukwa West L.G.A. of Delta State. He confessed to being a member of an Armed Robbery syndicate that specializes in diverting Trucks and Buses loaded with electronics and other expensive goods along Owerri/Aba Road and within Osisioma/Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. Recovered from the suspect include; One Pistol loaded with five rounds of ammunition, Eight Skyrun Refrigerators, and a black colour Hummer Bus with Reg./No. EPE 702 YE.
He went further ,’On 14/005/2024, the gallant operatives of Mbaitoli Division led by the DPO acting on intelligence gathering, arrested Chinemere Opara ‘m’ of Amuda Awo Mbieri in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, in connection with a kidnapping incident of 01/05/2024, where the victim was robbed of his Iphone 8, Tecno POP5, FCMB Card and the sum of One Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Eight (N1,238,000.00). The suspect has confessed to the commission of the crime and is assisting the police in the investigation. He will be charged to court accordingly, at the conclusion of the investigation.
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