Security agencies in Imo State say the sustained decline in violent crimes since 2020 is a direct result of the strategic and financial backing provided by Governor Hope Uzodimma, who has emerged as a key figure in the state’s security resurgence. The police made this declaration in response to a controversial viral video that blamed Fulani herdsmen for rising insecurity — a narrative authorities have described as dangerous, divisive, and false.
State Police Command Spokesman DSP Okoye Henry, in a detailed statement on Monday, said security operations across volatile areas like Orsu, Okigwe, Mbaitoli, Oguta, Njaba, Mbaise, Orlu, and Obinze have intensified due to the governor’s interventions. Over 5,000 suspects have been arrested in connection with crimes including kidnapping, child trafficking, terrorism, and organ harvesting. More than 200 stolen vehicles and 1,358 firearms — including GPMGs, AK-47s, and IEDs — have been recovered since Uzodimma assumed office.
The statement confirmed that over 500 stolen children have been rescued and reunited with their families through joint operations involving police, vigilantes, and sister security agencies. These efforts, officials say, would not have been possible without the deployment of 30 new patrol vehicles, 11 APCs, and the restoration of over two dozen previously grounded police trucks — all facilitated by the Uzodimma administration.
Authorities also praised the governor for launching proactive anti-crime campaigns targeting drug abuse, cultism, and terrorism, which have reportedly improved community engagement and crime reporting. Renovations of vandalized police stations in Agwa, Orsu, Obowo, and Isiala Mbano are currently ongoing, strengthening police presence in previously vulnerable zones.
The Command condemned attempts to racialize insecurity, warning that criminality should never be attributed to a specific tribe or religion. “Criminals arrested in Imo State come from varied backgrounds. Crime is a personal decision — not a cultural trait,” said DSP Okoye. He added that such inflammatory statements could reverse the peace gains made so far and distract from collective efforts to protect communities.
Stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, and market associations, were called upon to support security agencies by promoting accurate information, encouraging vigilance, and discouraging ethnic profiling. The police also reiterated their commitment to justice, assuring Imolites that all suspects, regardless of background or status, will be prosecuted according to the law.
With growing public confidence and operational capacity on the rise, the Imo State Police Command pledged to sustain the momentum and protect every citizen with professionalism and fairness — a mission, they say, made more achievable through Governor Uzodimma’s consistent leadership.
