Imo Police arrest 147 suspects, Nab IPOB/ESN ‘Spiritual Adviser’ in major crackdown

The Imo State Police Command has announced the arrest of 147 suspects in a major crackdown on various criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, rape, stealing, receiving stolen property, child trafficking, and terrorism.

Henry Okoye, the police spokesperson for the state command, disclosed these significant breakthroughs in a statement on Sunday.

Okoye detailed a notable success on May 20, when operatives in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area, apprehended Ozioma Ihedoro, a 37-year-old native doctor who was on the state’s wanted list.

Ihedoro reportedly admitted to serving as the spiritual adviser to an IPOB/ESN commander known as “B44.” A search of his shrine led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, three magazines, and seven live rounds.

Ihedoro is currently cooperating with investigators, providing intelligence to dismantle other syndicate members still at large.

In another operation on May 19, the Anti-Kidnapping squad, in synergy with operatives of the Imo Njaba Police Division, arrested three armed robbery suspects: Chinonso Anayo (aka Pablo, 24), Emmanuel John (21), and Ifeanyi John (20), all from Isiagu, Ebonyi State.

They were apprehended during a surveillance operation and confessed to multiple robberies. Police recovered one Q-Link motorcycle, two pump action guns, and 15 live cartridges from them.

 “Following thorough investigations and intelligence-led operations, 147 suspects were arrested for crimes including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, rape, stealing, receiving stolen property, child trafficking, and terrorism. Recovered from these suspects were seven AK-47 rifles, three AK-47 magazines, seven pump action guns, seven locally fabricated long guns, 178 live cartridges, three motorcycles, various denominations of Biafra currency, four Biafra flags, and several criminal charms.”

In the course of these extensive operations, five armed suspects were neutralized during fierce gun battles with police operatives, and seven kidnapped victims were successfully rescued.

Okoye further stated that “Over the past two months, the Imo State Police Command has intensified its efforts in enhancing the peace and security of the state through a series of well-coordinated operations across the state.

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These efforts, executed under the strategic leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, have resulted in significant successes in combating crime.”

He added that policing has been intensified to eliminate violent crimes, and security measures have been strengthened across the state to combat kidnapping and other violent offenses.

Residents were urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or use the emergency line: 0803 477 3600.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, commended operatives for their resilience and reiterated the command’s commitment, alongside other security agencies, to safeguarding lives and property in Imo State.