The Imo State Police Command has recorded major operational breakthroughs in its ongoing offensive against kidnapping, terrorism and other violent crimes, arresting 184 suspects and rescuing three kidnapped victims in intelligence-led operations conducted over the past two months.
Speaking during a press briefing in Owerri on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, said the Command’s sustained operations had significantly disrupted criminal activities across the state.
According to the police commissioner, the 184 suspects were arrested for offences including kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery, cultism, murder, defilement, rape, sexual assault, vehicle snatching, stealing, receiving stolen property and other violent crimes.
Bosso disclosed that the operations also led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, 11 AK-47 magazines, three M16 rifle magazines, five locally made double-barrel and cut-to-size guns, four locally made pistols, 382 rounds of assorted ammunition, 18 live cartridges, an empty Beretta magazine, two vehicles, three motorcycles, a generator set, eight cult caps, a human skull and assorted criminal charms.
Highlighting one of the Command’s major successes, the commissioner said operatives arrested two suspected kidnapping kingpins, identified as Confidence Vitalis, 28, of Ukugba in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, and Ishiaya Rejoice, 32, of Emuoha in Rivers State.
He explained that intelligence obtained from the arrest and the confessional statements of the suspects led police operatives to a suspected kidnappers’ and terrorists’ camp located within the Egbema River creek on July 6, 2026.
Bosso recalled that the Command had earlier rescued a kidnapped victim on June 30 after the victim was abducted on June 27 by the same syndicate. He said follow-up investigations culminated in the raid on the camp, where seven additional suspects were arrested and three kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed.
During the operation, police recovered one AK-47 rifle, four AK-47 magazines, 16 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, three locally made cut-to-size guns, 16 live cartridges, an empty Beretta magazine, 20 rounds of GPMG ammunition, a human skull and assorted criminal charms.
“The rescued victims positively identified some of the arrested suspects as members of the gang responsible for their abduction,” Bosso said.
He further disclosed that investigations established that the same criminal syndicate was responsible for the killing of two personnel of the Imo State Homeland Security at Umuguma in Owerri West Local Government Area on May 16, 2026, during an attempted kidnapping of Mrs. Betty Oluchi Dike.
The police commissioner said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
In another operation carried out on July 7, 2026, Bosso said operatives acting on credible intelligence stormed the Obiakpu swamps in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, where they recovered an additional cache of 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, as well as seven rifle magazines.
The Command also recorded breakthroughs in the investigation of sexual offences.
Bosso disclosed that detectives arrested a 58-year-old suspect, Nduka Iheme, on June 24, 2026, for the alleged sexual abuse of two 15-year-old girls in Orsu Local Government Area. According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly lured the victims to his residence under the guise of offering them employment before sexually assaulting them. He said the victims had undergone medical examinations, while the suspect had made useful statements and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
He also announced the arrest of 19-year-old Chijoke Johnson of Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area for the alleged defilement of an eight-year-old girl. The commissioner said medical examinations confirmed signs of defilement and that the suspect had confessed to the crime.
Bosso described the achievements as a clear demonstration of the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any safe haven in Imo State.
“We remain fully committed to protecting lives and property. We will sustain intelligence-led operations across all parts of the state until every criminal network is dismantled and those responsible are brought to justice,” he said.
The commissioner commended the courage and professionalism of officers involved in the operations and appreciated residents for providing credible information that contributed to the successes. He urged members of the public to continue partnering with the police by volunteering timely intelligence to enhance security across the state.
