Imo Police Arrest 184 Suspects, Rescue Three Kidnap Victims, Recover Arms and Ammunition in Two-Month Offensive

The Imo State Police Command has announced the arrest of 184 suspects in separate intelligence-led operations targeting kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery and other violent crimes across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, disclosed this during a press briefing, where he highlighted the command’s recent operational successes and efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within the state.

According to Bosso, the operations carried out over the past two months also led to the rescue of three kidnapped victims unharmed and the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition and other items linked to criminal activities.

Items recovered during the operations include two AK-47 rifles, 11 AK-47 magazines, three M16 rifle magazines, five locally made double-barrel and cut-to-size guns, four locally made pistols, 382 rounds of assorted ammunition, 18 live cartridges, an empty Beretta magazine, two vehicles, three motorcycles, a generator set, cult-related items, a human skull and suspected criminal charms.

The police commissioner said one of the major breakthroughs recorded by the command was the arrest of suspected kidnapping kingpins and the subsequent rescue of three victims in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state.

Bosso said the breakthrough followed the arrest of two suspected kidnapping leaders, Confidence Vitalis, 28, from Ukugba, Egbema, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State and Ishiaya Rejoice, 32, from Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State.

He explained that intelligence obtained from their arrests and confessional statements led police operatives on July 6, 2026 to a suspected kidnappers and terrorists hideout located within the Egbema River creek.

The operation, according to him, resulted in the dislodging of the camp and the arrest of seven additional suspects.

During the raid, police recovered one AK-47 rifle, four AK-47 magazines, 16 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, three locally made cut-to-size guns, 16 live cartridges, one empty Beretta magazine, 20 rounds of GPMG ammunition, a human skull and assorted charms.

The commissioner said some of the rescued victims identified the arrested suspects as members of the gang allegedly responsible for their abduction.

He added that investigations linked the same criminal group to the killing of two personnel of the Imo State Homeland Security at Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area, on May 16, 2026, during an alleged attempt to kidnap Mrs Betty Oluchi Dike.

Bosso said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate who escaped during the operations.

In another operation, the commissioner said police operatives acting on credible intelligence stormed the Obiakpu swamps in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area on July 7, 2026, where they recovered another cache of ammunition.

The recovered items included 346 rounds of live ammunition comprising 122 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 148 rounds of M16 rifle ammunition and 76 rounds of 9mm Beretta pistol ammunition, alongside seven magazines made up of four AK-47 magazines and three M16 magazines.

The command also announced the arrest of a 58-year-old man, Nduka Iheme, from Umuakabia, Orsu Local Government Area, over alleged sexual abuse of two 15-year-old minors.

According to the police, the suspect was arrested on June 24, 2026, following complaints by the victims’ parents.

Preliminary investigations, the command said, revealed that the suspect allegedly lured the victims to his residence under the guise of offering them employment before allegedly committing the offence.

The police said the victims had undergone medical examination, while the suspect had provided statements and would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.

Similarly, the command said detectives arrested a 19-year-old man, Chijoke Johnson, from Akpuru Nnorie, Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, on June 4, 2026, over the alleged defilement of an eight-year-old girl.

The police alleged that the incident occurred when the victim visited Johnson’s residence to fetch water, adding that medical examinations confirmed signs of defilement and that the suspect confessed to the crime.

CP Bosso assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety of lives and property across Imo State.

He commended police operatives for their commitment and urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts against criminal activities.

“The Imo State Police Command remains fully committed to protecting lives and property. We will sustain intelligence-led operations across all parts of the state until every criminal network is dismantled and those responsible are brought to justice,” Bosso said.