Police Arrest Four Suspected Terrorists in Imo, Recover Biafra Flags, Guns

Police Arrest Four Suspected Terrorists in Imo, Recover Biafra Flags, Guns

VCRU operatives raid Eziudo hideout, seize pump-action guns, live cartridges, recruitment forms, and group leaders’ photographs; five cultists also arrested in Owerri

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a significant breakthrough in its fight against terrorism and violent crime in the South-East, with the arrest of four suspected terrorists during a targeted raid on a hideout in Eziudo, Ezinihite Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. The operation, conducted by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) , yielded a cache of weapons, military paraphernalia, and documents linking the suspects to multiple terrorist attacks across the state.

The operation, which took place on Saturday, represents a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating in the South-East region. During the raid, security personnel recovered an impressive cache of exhibits, including three pump-action guns, 30 live cartridges, Biafra flags, military and police uniforms, recruitment forms, charms, and photographs of purported leaders of the group. The recovery of these items suggests the suspects were operating as a structured organization with clear chains of command and a systematic recruitment process. According to the police daily report obtained by The Whistler on Sunday, the four suspects confessed during interrogation to actively recruiting new members into their network and participating in multiple terrorist attacks across Imo State. The suspects were apprehended during the raid against an alleged terrorist cell operating in the state. The Force said investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the network, adding that efforts have been intensified to dismantle the group’s operational structure and prevent further attacks. The suspects are currently in lawful custody as investigations continue.

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The operation highlights the effectiveness of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in tackling terrorism and violent crimes. The Imo State Police Command had in May 2026 disbanded its Anti-Kidnapping Unit (popularly known as Tiger Base), Scorpion Unit, and Lion Squad, replacing them with the VCRU as part of broader reforms aimed at improving operational efficiency, accountability, and professionalism in tactical policing nationwide. The VCRU, established on April 24, 2026, under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, focuses on intelligence-driven operations targeting armed robberies, kidnappings, and violent crimes. Officers selected for the unit were carefully screened based on competence, discipline, integrity, and operational experience, and have undergone specialized training in tactical response, intelligence gathering, crisis management, and human rights compliance. The VCRU is also subject to a Civilian Oversight Board made up of representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society organizations, traditional institutions, religious bodies, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), which monitors the unit’s activities, receives public complaints, and provides independent feedback.

In a separate operation, the Nigeria Police Force also arrested five suspected cultists at Bishop’s Court in Owerri, the Imo State capital, recovering firearms, ammunition, and other items allegedly linked to cult activities. Among those arrested was 23-year-old Opara Ikechi, alongside four other suspects. Police operatives recovered four firearms, including locally fabricated pistols, 31 rounds of live ammunition, a dagger, and a suspected confraternity scarf. According to the police, the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to curb cult-related violence and other criminal activities in the state. The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Owerri has commenced investigations to determine the suspects’ involvement in cult-related crimes and identify other members of the group. The police added that the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The operations in Imo were part of a wider nationwide offensive by the Nigeria Police Force against terrorism, cultism, and violent crimes. In the last 24 hours, police operatives arrested suspects linked to terrorism, murder, cultism, armed robbery, and railway vandalism across multiple states, including Benue, Lagos, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, and the Federal Capital Territory. This follows coordinated nationwide security crackdowns that have resulted in the arrest of suspects and the rescue of kidnapped victims. The Force has urged residents to support security agencies with credible information to enhance crime-fighting efforts across the country.