The Imo State Police Command has arrested a suspected gun supplier accused of providing ammunition to kidnapping gangs operating across the state, as security operatives intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks.
The suspect, who is said to be from Rivers State, was apprehended following investigations into a kidnapping syndicate whose members allegedly revealed the source of their ammunition during interrogation.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, Imo State Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso disclosed that the arrest followed a series of operations targeting kidnappers and their suppliers.
Bosso also announced the arrest of two suspected kidnapping leaders identified as Confidence Vitalis, 28, from Ukugba, Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, and Ishiaya Rejoice, 32, from Emuoha, Rivers State.
According to the police commissioner, the suspects were arrested after officers carried out a follow-up operation at a suspected kidnappers’ and criminal hideout located around the Egbema River creek. During the operation, security personnel rescued a victim allegedly held by the gang.
The intelligence gathered from the rescue operation reportedly helped investigators track down the suspects and locate their hideouts. Police said the suspects’ statements also provided information that led to further arrests and recovery operations.
During the operation, authorities recovered an 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 several criminal charms.
The police said investigations linked the gang to the recent killing of two Imo State Homeland Security personnel at Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area, during an alleged attempt to kidnap Mrs Betty Oluchi Dike. Bosso added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate who escaped.
In a separate operation based on credible intelligence, police operatives raided the Obiakpu swamps in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, where they discovered another large 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. Police also recovered seven magazines made up of four AK-47 magazines and three M16 rifle magazines.
The Imo Police Command said the operations are part of ongoing efforts to disrupt kidnapping networks, cut off their supply chains and improve security across the state.
