The Imo State Police Command has rescued three kidnapped victims and arrested 12 suspected criminals in separate operations targeting kidnapping, cultism, murder and other violent crimes across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday, saying the operations were carried out through intelligence-led policing in collaboration with other security agencies, local vigilantes and community stakeholders.
According to the command, officers rescued the victims after raiding a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Obokofia, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, on June 30. The operation followed the abduction of passengers from a commercial bus along Obokofia Road in Egbema and the kidnapping of a young man in New Owerri on June 27.
Seven suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate were arrested during the operation, while other members of the gang escaped and are being tracked by security operatives.
The suspects were identified as Eric John, also known as “Yahoo Welder,” 30, from Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State; Light Chukwuma, 18; Obinna Osuamma, 18; Sylvester Nnadike, 60; Tochukwu Precious, 22; Destiny Albert, 22; and Caroline Oziomele, 25.
Police recovered an AK-47 rifle, two locally made double-barrel guns, two locally made pistols, a blue Toyota Highlander SUV without registration, an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz GLK belonging to one of the rescued victims, three Q-Link motorcycles, a Sumec generator and eight branded cult caps.
According to the police, one of the rescued victims identified Eric John as a member of the gang responsible for his abduction. Investigators also alleged that the suspects had collected a ₦5 million ransom from the victim’s family before demanding an additional ₦50 million prior to the rescue.
In a separate operation conducted on June 21, police arrested five suspected members of the Senior Vikings Confraternity in Okuku, Owerri West Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as Iwuagwu Innocent Chigozie, 26; Okparaugo Kingsley, 32; Uchenna Daniel Akagha, 23; Nsubechi Ekezie, 25; and Nwaneri Chigemezue, 28.
Police said the suspects confessed to participating in a cult initiation ceremony on May 24 at Umuome, Umuguma, during which an unidentified man was allegedly beaten to death.
Following the confession, investigators recovered the decomposed body of the victim and later seized two locally made pistols and two live cartridges during follow-up operations.
The police said investigations are ongoing to identify the deceased and apprehend other fleeing members of the cult group.
Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling violent crime across the state and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
