A series of coordinated raids by the Imo State Police Command has led to the arrest of ten suspects linked to kidnapping, armed robbery and cult-related violence across several communities. The operations, led by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
Police spokesperson DSP Henry Okoye said on Friday that officers swooped on a forest hideout in Awo-Omamma, Oru East, where three men had allegedly abducted a worshipper from Faith Glorious Assembly Church on 16 November. The victim was rescued unharmed, and two assault rifles were recovered at the scene.
Another breakthrough came with the arrest of 26-year-old Frank Onyemaechi from Ikeduru LGA after detectives found graphic images of kidnapped and deceased victims during a phone search. His wife, 24-year-old Chidimma, was also detained for allegedly attempting to conceal a locally made pistol found during a follow-up operation.
Separately, three suspected members of the NBM cult group were rounded up during a raid in Nchoko, Oru East. The suspects — Nkwusi Tochukwu Casmir, Uchenna Ike and Ikwunna David — reportedly confessed to terrorising residents, while police continue to track down fleeing members of the gang.
A deadly confrontation unfolded when officers responded to an armed robbery and vehicle snatching incident targeting motorists. During the suspects’ attempted escape, a driver was fatally shot. Two men — Okon Uket of Akwa Ibom and Uzoma Ezugo of Ohaji — were arrested, while others fled into nearby bushes.
The police confirmed that multiple victims were rescued during the operations, and an assortment of weapons was recovered, including three pump-action guns, two AK-47 rifles, a locally made pistol, 31 rounds of ammunition and 37 live cartridges.
DSP Okoye reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to rooting out criminal gangs across Imo State, promising continued operations aimed at restoring safety and public confidence.
