A sustained intelligence-led crackdown on violent crime in Imo State has yielded major results, with police arresting 184 suspects, rescuing kidnapped victims and recovering a significant cache of weapons and ammunition in two months.
Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on recent operational successes recorded by the Imo State Police Command.
Bosso said the suspects were arrested in connection with kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery, murder, cultism, sexual offences, vehicle theft and other crimes, while three kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed.
Among the major breakthroughs was the dismantling of a suspected kidnappers’ and terrorists’ hideout in the Egbema River creek, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, following the arrest of two alleged kidnapping kingpins.
Seven additional suspects were arrested during the operation, while police recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazines, ammunition, locally made guns, cartridges, a human skull and suspected criminal charms.
Police investigations also linked the gang to the killing of two Imo State Homeland Security personnel in Umuguma, Owerri West LGA, during an attempted kidnapping in May.
In a separate operation at the Obiakpu swamps, police recovered another 346 rounds of live ammunition and seven rifle magazines.
The Command also announced the arrest of two suspects in separate cases involving the alleged sexual abuse of minors.
Bosso said efforts were ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects, recover more weapons and dismantle criminal networks operating across the state.
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