The Imo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against crime, arresting 184 suspects, rescuing three kidnapped victims, and recovering weapons, ammunition, human skulls and other incriminating items during a series of intelligence-led operations across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, disclosed the development while parading suspects at the Command Headquarters in Owerri. He said those arrested are being investigated for offences including kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery, cultism, murder, rape, defilement, sexual assault and other violent crimes.
According to Bosso, the operations led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, 11 AK-47 magazines, three M16 rifle magazines, five locally made double-barrel guns, cut-to-size firearms, four locally made pistols, and 382 rounds of assorted ammunition. The ammunition included 138 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 148 rounds for M16 rifles, 76 rounds of 9mm Beretta ammunition, and 20 rounds for a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG).
The police commissioner also revealed that officers discovered two human skulls and items suspected to be used for ritual purposes during the operations, describing the findings as evidence of the dangerous activities of some criminal groups operating within and around the state.
Bosso explained that the rescue of kidnapped victims in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area led investigators to a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the Egbema Creek area of neighbouring Rivers State. During the follow-up raid, police operatives dismantled the camp, arrested seven suspects, and recovered an AK-47 rifle, four AK-47 magazines, 16 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and locally made firearms.
Investigations, he said, linked the same gang to the killing of two personnel of the Imo State Homeland Security during an attempted kidnapping in Umuguma, Owerri West LGA, on May 16, 2026. He added that efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.
In a separate operation carried out on July 7, police operatives acting on intelligence stormed the Obiakpu swamps in Ohaji/Egbema, where they recovered another 346 rounds of live ammunition, including AK-47, M16 and 9mm Beretta rounds.
The police also announced the arrest of 58-year-old Nduka Iheme from Orsu LGA over the alleged sexual abuse of two minors. Investigators said he allegedly lured the victims to his residence under the guise of offering them employment before sexually assaulting them.
In another case, 19-year-old Chijoke Johnson from Ngor-Okpala LGA was arrested for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old girl who had visited his residence to fetch water.
Bosso said the latest successes reflect the Command’s determination to deny criminals safe haven in Imo State. He urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring them that investigations are ongoing to dismantle criminal networks and ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.
