A major police operation in Imo State has dealt another blow to kidnapping networks after operatives stormed a suspected criminal hideout in Ogbaku, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, rescuing an abducted man and arresting members of an alleged inter-state gang.
The operation, carried out by the Imo State Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, is part of an ongoing crackdown on kidnapping and violent crimes across the state. According to the Nigeria Police Force, officers successfully rescued Donatus Emehara, popularly known as “Ehara,” without any injuries during the raid.
Police said two suspected kidnappers, identified as Chinedu Asonna and Chisom Iroche, were killed during a gun battle with security operatives, while another suspect, Anyanwuocha Stanley, was arrested at the scene.
The Force Public Relations Officer disclosed that intelligence gathered during the operation led investigators to Lagos State, where follow-up raids targeted other members of the same criminal network.
According to the police, three additional suspected gang members—identified as Ifeanyi, Kelechi Asonna and Chijioke—were also killed during the Lagos operation, while the alleged leader of the syndicate, 41-year-old Chinonso Izuagu, was arrested.
The latest success comes just weeks after operatives of the Imo State Police Command dismantled another suspected kidnapping camp in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area. During that operation, officers crossed difficult creek terrain, rescued three kidnapped victims and arrested several suspects linked to the criminal network.
Police authorities said the operations highlight their continued efforts to dismantle kidnapping syndicates operating within Imo State and beyond. They reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at improving public safety and bringing criminal suspects to justice.
