Police Arrest 150 Suspected Kidnappers, Other Criminals, Recover Arms In Imo

The Imo Police Command has arrested 150 suspects for kidnapping, terrorism and armed robbery in the state.

The disclosure was made by Rabiu Hussaini, the Commissioner of Police in Imo, when he received Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo, at the command’s headquarters in Owerri, the state capital, on Friday.

CP Hussaini added that the suspects were captured within a year, specifically between January 2021 and January 2022, and that the command recovered 61 guns and 27 vehicles from them.

Giving a breakdown of the figure, the police boss said, “Between the months of January 2021 and January 2022, the unit arrested a total of 105 kidnappers/armed robbers, 45 terrorists, and recovered 27 vehicles of different makes and assorted caliber of arms and ammunition.”

Items, allegedly recovered included “1 GPMG rifle, 12 AK-47 rifles, four assault rifles, 18 pump action guns, five locally-made GPMG rifles, eight double-barrel guns, 13 cut-to-size locally-made pistols, 180 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition, 60 rounds of live assault ammunition, 82 rounds of live cartridges, 14 locally-made hand grenade explosives and 15 locally-made improvised explosives”.

The police also said it recovered “different denominations of Biafran currencies, 12 Biafran flags, 17 Biafran berets, 16 pairs of Biafran uniforms, five Biafran masquerade costumes, one human skull, various brands of black charms, 16 pairs of military uniforms, eight police base sets, six walkie talkies, various number plates of vehicles and motorcycles”.

Hussaini, who admitted that he met a series of security challenges on the ground on his assumption of office in August last year, blamed the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for the crime surge in the State.

He said the police were collaborating with traditional rulers, youth, and religious leaders, among other stakeholders on community policing.

Hussaini thanked the governor for his support which he said led to the vigorous and aggressive attacks on the terror groups and the decimation of their camps.

He however asked the governor to look into the deplorable state of roads leading to the command, and also sought the provision of adequate water supply and accommodation for officers.