Umuaka community in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State has announced a ₦25 million bounty on five indigenes accused of involvement in serious crimes including murder, kidnapping, rape and armed robbery.
The community said the decision was taken as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity and restore peace after years of alleged criminal activities linked to the suspects. A public notice shared on social media platforms on Wednesday declared the five individuals wanted.
According to the community, each suspect has a ₦5 million bounty placed on them, with the reward intended to encourage residents and members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in locating and arresting them.
The statement alleged that the suspects have engaged in criminal activities over an extended period, adding that previous attempts to persuade them to abandon their actions failed, leading to the decision to publicly declare them wanted.
Umuaka community also claimed that the alleged criminals have been using the identity of Biafran agitators as a cover for their activities. The community accused them of turning the cause into criminal operations involving kidnapping for ransom, killings, robbery and attacks on women and girls.
The community expressed concern that the alleged actions of the suspects have damaged its reputation and contributed to repeated security operations in the area, which it said have caused hardship and distress for residents.
The notice urged anyone with useful information about the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward and support security agencies in bringing them to justice.
The community said the bounty initiative is part of broader efforts to improve security, protect residents and end activities it described as a threat to peace and development in Umuaka.
