The Imo State Police Command has made significant strides in its fight against violent crime, arresting over 2,700 suspects and rescuing more than 100 victims in a sweeping operation targeting criminal syndicates, including the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, the operations were carried out under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, with the support of specialized units such as the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
Over the past six months, a total of 2,785 individuals were apprehended for serious crimes including kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery, cultism, murder, and child trafficking. Among those rescued were 58 kidnapped victims and 42 stolen children, many of whom have now been reunited with their families.
The police recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition during the operations. The seized weapons include two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), 14 AK-47 rifles, 20 pump-action guns, four fabricated rocket launchers, seven gas-cylinder explosives, hand grenades, hundreds of live ammunition and cartridges, Biafran flags, and several criminal charms.
High-profile suspects identified as key IPOB/ESN operatives were also arrested. They include Amechi Onyebuchi (38), Ozioma Ihedoro (39), Cyprian Ikpegbunam (50), and Uchenna Opara (30), who were said to be responsible for multiple attacks on security facilities and public infrastructure in Njaba Local Government Area.
Their arrest followed a tactical raid on an IPOB/ESN camp in Njaba, carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams. During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to the abduction and killing of one Emmanuel Oguzie on the orders of a wanted ESN commander known as “Asari.”
In another operation, two individuals — Uche Nwachukwu, 24, and Chinonso Ozirim, 32 — were arrested for kidnapping Anayo Iwuoha from his home in Akabo on June 20, 2025. The suspects allegedly held the victim at Ozirim’s residence and collected a ransom of ₦2.2 million before the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, aided by local vigilantes, rescued the victim and arrested the duo. A manhunt for other members of the gang is ongoing.
The police also apprehended a suspected cultist, Wisdom Chinazaekpere Ogbonna, 36, of Orlu Local Government Area, said to be a member of the Vikings Confraternity. Ogbonna had reportedly evaded arrest for two years following the brutal murder of a young man, ‘Pikin,’ who was mistakenly identified as a rival cultist. Ogbonna was initially arrested for burglary and theft, but further investigations linked him to the murder, leading to his transfer to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
“All arrested suspects will be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations,” DSP Okoye stated.
He also commended residents for their cooperation and urged continued vigilance. “We remain committed to protecting lives and property in Imo State. We encourage the public to report suspicious activities to the police through 0813 478 3532 or 0815 802 4755,” Okoye added.
The police pledged to sustain efforts toward making Imo State a safer and more secure place for all residents.
