Imo State Police Commissioner has release the achievements of the recently launched Operation Puff Adder in the state.
see details on the press release
PRESS BRIEFING BY CP RABIU LADODO psc+ COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, IMO STATE COMMAND ON THE COMMAND’S ACHIEVEMENTS ON “OPERATION PUFF ADDER” ON 11TH JUNE, 2019 AT THE IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND HEADQUARTERS, OWERRI
Gentlemen of the Press
I am so delighted to address you today to showcase our recent achievement in crime bursting. You will recall that a few months back, Imo State Police Command launched its own version of “Operation PUFF ADDER”. This operation as directed by the Inspector-General of Police IGP Mohamed Abubakar Adamu, has recorded tremendous achievement part of which are the ones being showcased here today.
To this end, I want to inform you that during the period under review, the Command arrested a total of ninety four (94) suspects in various violent and other related offences ranging from Armed Robbery, kidnapping, impersonation, murder, unlawful possession of firearms, cultism, etc out of this number sixty six (66) of whom have been charged to court, seven (7) died as a result of encounter with police while some are still under investigation as such, I may not be able to parade all today as such action will defeat the end of justice since some of the suspects are still at large or yet to be arrested. I therefore present to you the remaining twenty one (21) suspects involved in various crimes as highlighted above who are now under investigation.
Furthermore, I want to thank all the officers and men involved in this breakthrough as witnessed here today. I appreciate their courage, resilience and doggedness. I however, implore them to do more until crime is brought to the barest minimum, as the reward for hard work is more work.
Finally, I want to encourage the good people of Imo State to partner with us by providing us with useful information that will help the Command rid the state of crime and criminality. I assure you that we shall keep doing our best to ensure that Imo State remains the safest state in this nation.
Thank you and God bless you all.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT
SUSPECT: CHUKWU EGBUKA ‘M’ 22 YRS OLD
VICTIM: INSPR OBIESHI ZACHARY ‘M’
The above named suspect was arrested on 26/04/2019 at Obiobiezena Agbala Owerri North L.G.A in connection with the attack on Agbala police personnel providing security to a company on 25/04/2019. It is important to note that during the attack, one Ak47 rifle with 30 rounds of ammunition was taken away from Inspr Obieshi Zachary. Suspect has confessed to the crime stating how they planned and executed the operation.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY/KIDNAP SUSPECTS
SUSPECTS: 1. NDUBUISI NNODIM ‘M’ aka BUHARI
- EKEOCHA NNAMDI ‘M’
- CHIDI EKE-EGBU ‘M’
- BRIGHT CHUKWUEMEKA ‘M’
EXHIBITS:
i. ONE CUT TO SIZE GUN
ii. ONE LOCALLY MADE PISTOL
iii. THREE UNEXPENDED CARTRIDGES
iv. TWO EXPENDED CARTRIDGES
The above named suspects were arrested at Ama Awusa Owerri Municipal and Ogbo Oshishi Naze Timber Market Owerri North L.G.A on 11/05/2019 by operatives of SARS Imo State following an intelligence-led tip-off. Suspects were arrested in connection with cases of series of armed robbery/kidnapping, the most recent one being the case of armed robbery along 3rd Inland Bridge where they were about to strike but were intercepted by SARS operatives who gave them a hot chase. Courageously, the suspects engaged the operatives in a gun duel and as fate would have it, one of the gang members known as “courage” was shot. Suspects have confessed to the crimes.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT/RECOVERY OF VEHICLES
SUSPECT: 1. KELVIN EZE ‘M’ 33 YRS OLD
VICTIM: KINGSLEY EKEH IHEANACHO ‘M’
EXHIBITS:
- ASH COLOUR TOYOTA AVALON WITH REG. NO. WER 738 CN
- BLUE COLOUR TOYOTA CAMRY REG. NO. EPE 920 FM
- WHITE COLOUR LEXUS ES350 WITH REG. NO. ABC 1R
- BLADE AND LAPTOP
On 11/5/2019, operatives of SARS Imo State arrested the above named suspect at Millinum Inn Hotel Orji Owerri and New Jerusalem Egbu in Owerri North L.G.A in connection with a robbery incident on 25/02/2019 at Emmanuel College Owerri where the above named victim was robbed at gun point and the above listed exhibits were also recovered from the suspect.
- ARREST OF KIDNAP/MURDER SUSPECTS
SUSPECTS:
- PRINCE CHIKERE ‘M’19 YRS
- CHIBUIKE OYIWARA ‘M’
- AMUZIE UCHENNA ‘M’
- ODUNZE AZUNNA ‘M’ ALL OF UMUHAJA OBITTI OHAJI/EGBEMA L.G.A
VICTIMS:
- ANAYO
- NZUBE
- EZE
EXHIBITS:
i. ONE LOCALLY MADE DOUBLE BARREL GUN WITH 4 LIVE UNEXPENDED CARTRIDGES
ii. TWENTY WRAPS OF MARIJUANA aka INDIA HEMP
iii. LARGE QUANTITY OF INDIA HEMP WRAPPERS PAPER
iv. SIX WRAPS OF SUBSTANCE SUSPECTED TO BE COCAINE
v. ONE MATCHES BOX
vi. FIVE ROLL BOND USE FOR COCAINE
vii. SEVEN RAZOR BLADES
viii. FIVE LIGHTERS
ix. TWO CUTLASSES
x. ONE BLACK KASEA MOTORCYCLE.
The above named suspects were arrested at Obitti in Ohaji/Egbema L.G.A on 23/05/2019 by Operatives of SARS Imo State. Suspects were arrested in connection with the behead and murder of three boys names listed above at Obitti in 2018. One of the suspects Desmond Alozie sustained gunshot injury on his right leg in a gun duel with operatives. He was rushed to for medication where he was treated and discharged. One of the suspects Chikere Prince has confessed he belongs to the group Iceland cult that killed the boys.
Sequel to the arrest of the suspects at Obitti, another Chibuike Oyiwara, Amuzie Uchenna, and Odunze Azunna who also belong to Iceland cult and alleged to have murdered 3 victims whose heads were severed from their bodies on 8th Nov.2017 were arrested on 01/06/2019, At Amagwa along Port Harcourt/Owerri road.
- ARREST OF KIDNAP/ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS AND RECOVERY OF TWO AK47 RIFLES/AMMUNITION
SUSPECTS:
- CHIMUNYA NBERIKPE ‘M’ 35YRS
- OKOROCHA CHIBUZO ‘M’ 28YRS
- SOLOMON UZOUKWU ‘M’ 30YRS
- JOHNSON BRIGHT ‘M’ 21YRS
- CHUKWUDI AGOCHA ‘M’19YRS
EXHIBITS:
- TWO AK47 RIFLES WITH RIFLE NOS. 19104 AND 1969-6068
- 11 LA LIVE AMMUNITION
- 17 AK47 LIVE AMMUNITION
- ONE MILITARY CAMOUFLAGE T-SHIRT
- ONE MILITARY CAMOUFLAGE TROUSERS
- ONE MOTORCYCLE WITH REG. NO.AKL 980 OC
The above named suspects were arrested on 26/05/2019 at Umujanwoke Orogwe Owerri West L.G.A by operatives of SARS Imo State and two AK47 rifles recovered together with cache of ammunition mentioned above. It should be noted that the suspects have long being on the wanted list of the Police Command.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT
SUSPECT: OKUKWE KENNETH ‘M’ 31YRS OF OBA IN AGWA OGUTA L.G.A
EXHIBITS:
i. MASTER KEY
ii. CUSTOM COLOUR TOYOTA CAMRY CAR WITH REG NO. DFB 680 EL
The above named suspect was arrested on 28/05/2019 at Akachi Road off Aba Road Owerri by Operatives of SARS Imo State. Suspect was arrested in connection with armed robbery incident where hoodlums used master keys to rob unsuspecting members of the public within Owerri Metropolis. Upon sighting the operatives, other members of the gang fled resulting in the arrest of the above named suspect and a master key together with the above listed vehicle were recovered. Suspect has confessed to the crime.
- ARREST OF GUN FABRICATOR/RECOVERY OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION
SUSPECT: EZE AJOKU ‘M’63 YRS
EXHIBITS: (1). ONE LOCALLY MADE PISTOL
(2). ONE 9MM LIVE AMMUNITION
(3). TWO DOUBLE BARREL PIPES
(4). EIGHT SINGLE BARREL PIPES
(5). NINE RIFLE ENGINES(STOCK)
(6).TWO LIVE AND TWO EXPENDED
CARTRIDGES
(7). ONE DRILLING MACHINE
(8). NINE SAW BLADE
(9). ONE HAMMER
(10). TWO PINCHES
(11). ONE LOCALLY MADE PISTOL BUTT
(12). THREE BARREL BUTTS AMONGST
OTHER FABRICATION INSTRUMENTS
On 19/05/2019, following an intelligent tip off, operatives of SARS Imo State arrested the above named suspect at Mgbala Agwa in Oguta L.G.A together with his gun fabricating machine and other instruments. Suspect has made useful statements confessing to the crime.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS
SUSPECTS:
- CHIBUZOR OSUALA ‘M’ 28 YRS
- NWARIWA CHIDUBEM ‘M’ 25 YRS
- MAXWEL SUNDAY CHINONSO ‘M‘41YRS
EXHIBITS:
i. ONE DOUBLE BARREL LOADED WITH TWO LIVE CARTRIDGES
ii. SEVEN VARIOUS TYPES OF CHARMS
iii. THREE WRAPS OF WEEDS SUSPECTED TO BE INDIAN HEMP
iv. AN OXBLOOD COLOUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH REG NO. KRD 775 EG LAGOS
On 03/06/2019, acting on a tip-off, operatives of SARS arrested the above named suspects at Umuaka who have been on the wanted list of the Police Command for being involved in various armed robbery attacks both local and international level. Sequel to the arrest of the suspects, at Amuri Amanze, another notorious armed robber was arrested on the 4/6/2019 at Isiobise Isu in Njaba L.G.A and one double barrel gun loaded with two lives cartridges was recovered in the house and premises of one Chinedu Egwuegbu ‘m’ a member of the armed robbery gang.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS
SUSPECTS:
- INSPR SALVATION KPUN, A SERVING MEMBER FROM DOPS’ OWERRI
- OKOROMA IKECHUKWU ‘M’
- KINGSLEY OSIGWE ‘M’
EXHIBITS:
i. LEXUS 470
ii. KEKE NAPEP
On 03/06/2019, acting on a tip-off, operative of SARS Imo State arrested one Inspr Salvation Kpun, a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force attached to ‘OPS’ Department, Owerri at works layout in connection with armed robbery. It is important to note that on 31/05/2019, operatives of New Owerri Division of the Command arrested one kingsley Osuigwe ‘m’ and Okoroma Ikechukwu ‘m’ with one Lexus 470 and one Tricycle ‘aka’ Keke napep. Suspects have made useful statements confessing to the crime and have also stated that the above named policeman and one soldier presently at large are members of their syndicate. Efforts are on top gear to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.
- UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIRE ARM/CULTISM
SUSPECT: CHIDIEBERE ULOAKONWA ‘M’ 19 YRS
EXHIBITS:
i. ONE LOCALY MADE PISTOL
ii. ii. THREE WRAPS OF WEED SUSPECTED TO BE INDIAN HEMP
On 30/05/2019, operatives of SARS acting on a tip-off arrested the above named suspect at Market square Orodo in Mbaitoli L.G.A. Upon thorough search, one shot locally made pistol and three wraps of Indian hemp were recovered in his bag. Investigation is in progress.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT
SUSPECT: CHUKWUEMEKA EHINNE 19YRS
VICTIM: MUNONYE ONYEDIKACHI SAMUEL
EXHIBITS: ONE LOCALLY MADE PISTOL WITH ONE LIVE CARTRIDGE
On 03/06/2019, the above named suspect was arrested by operatives of SARS at Umuokomoche Nekede in Owerri West L.G.A following a tip-off. Suspect was arrested in connection with armed robbery at a Bet9ja shop at Umuokomoche Nekede where the owner was robbed of his cash sales and other valuable items. Suspect has made useful statements confessing to the crime.
- UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIRE ARM
SUSPECT: EMEKA DIMA ‘M’35YRS
EXHIBITS:
ONE CUT TO SIZE ENGLISH MADE DOUBLE BARREL GUN WITH TWO LIVE CARTRIDGES
On 28/05/2019, acting on a tip-off, operatives of SARS Imo State stormed the back of low-cost Mgbidi in Oru West L.G.A where a group of hoodlums armed with guns were having their meeting. On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums took to their heel while the above named was arrested and one cut to size English made double barrel gun with two live cartridges recovered from him.
- ARREST OF SUSPECTS AND RECOVERY OF FIREARM
SUSPECTS:
- ELIJAH UBAKAEZE NWACHUKWU ‘M’ 24YRS OF IROKOKO OBA IN IDEMILI SOUTH L.G.A. A STUDENT OF FUTO AND RESIDING AT ROOM 13 EVERGREEN LODGE IHIAGWA OWERRI WEST L.G.A
- OZOEMENA CHIGBOGU ENYIORA ‘M’ 27YRS OF LOGBO NTEZI IN ISHIELU L.G.A EBONYI STATE RESIDING AT AMA AWUSA AVU JUNCTION IN OWERRI WEST L.G.A
- YOHANA GODSGIFT ILIYA ‘M’ 40YRS OF BARKIN-KOGI KAFANCHAN IN JEMA L.G.A OF KADUNA STATE RESIDING AT CHICONG SUITE EZIOBODO IN OWERRI WEST L.G.A
EXHIBITS:
ONE LOCALLY MADE DOUBLE BARREL PISTOL WITH ONE LIVE CARTRIDGE
A PIERCE METAL OBJECT
ONE MILITARY IDENTITY CARD
On 7/05/2019, acting on a tip-off, operatives of SIB Imo State arrested the above named suspects at Federal University of Technology (FUTO) Owerri. Elijah Ubakaeze Nwachukwu and Ozoemena Chigbogu Enyiora were arrested habitually snatching phone, handsets and personal belongings of unsuspecting passersby’s in the school environment and upon on the spot search, the above listed locally made double barrel pistol with one live cartridge were recovered from them while Yohana Godsgift Iliya was arrested for impersonation and brandishing of a military identity card claiming to be a military solder. Investigation is in progress.
SUMMARY OF ARRESTS AND RECOVERIES MADE
Number of Suspects arrested for:
- Kidnapping = 13
- Armed Robbery = 6
- Gun Fabricator = 1
- Unlawful Possession of Firearm = 1
TOTAL = 21
Number of Arms and Ammunition Recovered:
AK 47 Rifles = 2
English Made Double Barrel Gun = 1
Locally Made Guns = 9
17 live AK 47 ammunition and a catchment of other types of ammunition
Number of Vehicles recovered:
Vehicles = 6
Keke Napep = 1
Motorcycles = 1
Other exhibits recovered include:
i. BLADE AND LAPTOP
ii. WRAPS OF WEEDS SUSPECTED TO BE INDIA HEMP
iii. LARGE QUANTITY OF INDIA HEMP WRAPPERS PAPER
iv. SIX WRAPS OF SUBSTANCE SUSPECTED TO BE COCAINE
v. ONE MATCHES BOX
vi. FIVE ROLL BOND USE FOR COCAINE
vii. SEVEN RAZOR BLADES
viii. FIVE LIGHTERS
ix. TWO CUTLASSES
x. ONE MILITARY CAMOUFLAGE T-SHIRT
xi. ONE MILITARY CAMOUFLAGE TROUSERS
xii. MASTER KEY
xiii. TWO DOUBLE BARREL PIPES
xiv. EIGHT SINGLE BARREL PIPES
xv. NINE RIFLE ENGINES(STOCK)
xvi. ONE DRILLING MACHINE
xvii. NINE SAW BLADES
xviii. ONE HAMMER
xix. TWO PINCHES
xx. ONE LOCALLY MADE PISTOL BUTT
xxi. THREE BARREL BUTTS AMONGST OTHER FABRICATION INSTRUMENTS
xxii. SEVEN VARIOUS TYPES OF CHARMS
xxiii. A PIERCE METAL OBJECT
xxiv. ONE MILITARY IDENTITY CARD
