Police Arrest 12 Suspected Kidnappers, Cultists, Rescue Three Victims in Imo

Police Arrest 12 Suspected Kidnappers, Cultists, Rescue Three Victims in Imo

The Imo State Police Command has arrested 12 suspected kidnappers and cultists, rescued three abducted victims and recovered firearms, vehicles and other exhibits during a series of intelligence-led operations aimed at tackling violent crime across the state.

The operations, carried out by the command’s Tactical Teams in collaboration with other security agencies, local vigilante groups and community stakeholders, targeted suspected criminal networks involved in kidnapping, cultism, murder and related offences.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, who said the operations were conducted under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso.

According to the statement, officers led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa carried out separate intelligence-driven raids that resulted in the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, two locally made double-barrel guns, four locally fabricated pistols, two live cartridges, a Toyota Highlander SUV, a Mercedes-Benz GLK, three Q-Link motorcycles, a Sumec generator, and eight branded cult caps.

One of the most significant breakthroughs followed the abduction of five passengers travelling in a commercial bus along Obokofia Road in Egbema, as well as the kidnapping of another resident in New Owerri on June 27.

Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives working with officers from the Egbema Police Division stormed a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Obokofia, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, on June 30, rescuing three kidnapped victims unharmed.

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During the operation, seven suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate were arrested, while other members of the group escaped and are currently being tracked by security operatives.

The suspects were identified as Eric John, also known as “Yahoo Welder,” Light Chukwuma, Obinna Osuamma, Sylvester Nnadike, Tochukwu Precious, Destiny Albert, and Caroline Oziomele.

Police said one of the rescued victims identified Eric John as one of those involved in his abduction.

Investigators further alleged that the gang had already collected ₦5 million in ransom from the victim’s family before demanding an additional ₦50 million, prompting intensified intelligence operations that culminated in the successful rescue mission.

In a separate operation conducted on June 21, police operatives arrested five suspected members of the Senior Vikings Confraternity (SVC) during an alleged cult gathering in Okuku, Owerri West Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as Iwuagwu Innocent Chigozie, Okparaugo Kingsley, Uchenna Daniel Akagha, Nsubechi Ekezie, and Nwaneri Chigemezue.

According to the police, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly participated in a cult initiation ceremony held on May 24 at Umuome, Umuguma, where a man was reportedly beaten to death.

Following information obtained during interrogation, detectives visited the location and recovered a decomposed body believed to be connected to the incident. Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the victim’s identity and apprehend other fleeing suspects linked to the crime.

The command also recovered two locally made pistols and two live cartridges during follow-up operations related to the cult investigation.

Commissioner of Police Audu Garba Bosso reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating violent crime through intelligence-led policing and sustained collaboration with sister security agencies, local vigilante groups and community stakeholders.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency channels, assuring the public that credible information would be handled confidentially.

The latest operations form part of intensified security efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to dismantle kidnapping syndicates, cult groups and other violent criminal networks across Imo State and the wider South-East region.

Police Arrest 12 Suspected Kidnappers, Cultists, Rescue Three Victims in Imo