Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested 17 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, cult members and different legal offenders in a sequence of current operations throughout the state.
Throughout the operations, police recovered two regionally made firearms, 5 reside cartridges and a stolen white Hijet Shuttle bus with registration quantity MMA 919 XA. Two different suspects, nonetheless, escaped on sighting the approaching officers.
The Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, who disclosed the event on Friday evening, stated efforts have been ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
He added that the arrests have been remodeled the previous few days following intensified safety actions.
Okoye, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), stated: “In furtherance of the unwavering dedication of the Imo State Police Command to stem the tide of legal actions inside and outdoors the Owerri metropolis, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, deployed sturdy safety methods, together with intelligence-led raids on legal hideouts and intensified visibility patrols, significantly at evening.
“Throughout the week underneath evaluate, these methods yielded important outcomes, resulting in the arrest of seventeen suspects for varied offences together with armed theft, kidnapping, automobile snatching, cultism, stealing and receiving stolen property. The suspects are being investigated and will likely be arraigned thereafter.”
Giving particulars of one of many main arrests, the Police Public Relations Officer stated: “Distinguished among the many circumstances recorded was the arrest of suspected armed robbers and automobile snatchers. On 13/11/2025, at about 0200hrs, operatives of the Owerri City Divisional Headquarters, whereas on routine patrol, acted swiftly on credible intelligence relating to legal parts working round Emmanuel School/Wetheral Junction by West Finish.
“On sighting the patrol staff, the suspects tried to flee however got a scorching chase. Two suspects have been efficiently apprehended, whereas two others fled.”
He added {that a} search performed on the arrested suspects led to the restoration of the firearms, ammunition and the stolen shuttle bus.
Okoye stated the police have been additionally making efforts to arrest the producers of the regionally fabricated firearms utilized by the suspects.
He assured residents throughout the 27 native authorities areas of the state of the Command’s dedication to their security, noting that CP Danjuma has vowed to confront legal parts and urged members of the general public to help safety efforts by reporting suspicious actions.
“The Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to residents’ security, warning criminals to desist or face the legislation.
He urged the general public to remain vigilant and report suspicious actions to the closest police station or the Command’s emergency line 08034773600,” he stated.
