In a decisive moment, the Imo State Police Command moves against criminal elements, taking most of them into custody in what appears to be a harvest of arrests in the South-East state.
By Chindu Oguh, Port Harcourt
In the past six months, the Imo State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs in its fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes through the proactive efforts of the Anti-kidnapping unit.
During this period the command has arrested 928 criminals in different locations while carrying out their nefarious activities. They were arrested for various offences including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, child trafficking, stolen children were rescued and reunited with their families.
Aboki Danjuma, Commissioner of Police was filled with joy as he paraded the suspects before the public at the commands headquarters, Owerri. He said that the command embarked on massive onslaught against criminals following complaints of incessant robbery attacks and kidnapping in various parts of the state.
The command also recovered 17 firearms, 72 rounds of ammunition, 673 live cartridges and nine stolen motorcycles, other exhibits included IED, charms, laptops, counterfeit currency and hard drugs.
A major success was the arrest of six notorious kidnap suspects, Chijioke Nwachukwu, Chibuike Ajaere, Richard Ugochukwu, Chuka Anene, Christian Emekwe and Emeka Emezume who had been terrorizing parts of Imo and Anambra State.
According to the Commissioner of Police, their arrest led to further recoveries at Obosi, Anambra State including seven AK-47 rifles, nine-pump action guns, four pistols, 250 rounds of GPMG ammunition, 910 cartridges and bags of suspected hard drugs.
The suspects confessed to several kidnappings including that of Ugochukwu Favour Nwachinemere (25) of Ikembara, Ikeduru Local Government Area, for which N5 million ransom was paid and the abduction of Mr. IKechukwu on October 20, 2025.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma who commended the officers and men of Anti-Kidnapping Unit for their professionalism, urged imolities to continue supporting the Police with credible and timely information to sustain the ongoing fight against crime.
He said that the command remains committed to ensuring the safety of all residents and maintaining peace across the state.
Okoye Henry, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Public Relations Officer (PPRO) further said that they were able to make such a breakthrough due to hard work, he said the police commissioner gave the command marching orders when there was serious increase in cases armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and other crimes in the state, adding, “We increased the number of stop-and-search points in every entry points and it yielded very fruitful results.”
Okoye Henry said hoodlums would always use the slightest opportunities to wreak havoc on the citizenry with the impression that the police are handicapped. He assured Imo State citizens that the police was ever ready and determined to reduce crime in the State to the barest minimum.
In a related development, Police authorities in Anambra State have arrested a suspected cult leader and political thug said to be working for individuals attempting to disrupt the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Tentacle gathered that the suspect identified as 29-years-old Onyeaka Odogwu, popularly known as Red Angel, was apprehended following an intelligence-driven raid carried out on October 24 by Operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS in Enugu-Ukwu)
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command revealed that Odogwu confessed to be a member of the Vikings Confraternity and admitted involvement in violent activities linked to political actors.
Recovered items during the operation included two pump-action rifles, two English-made double-barrel guns, three live cartridges, red confraternity-themed regalia and several caps bearing Vikings insignia.
The suspect later led operatives to an alleged hideout in Omor where the weapons had been concealed.
Ikenga emphasized that the arrest forms part of a broader effort to ensure a peaceful and credible election on November 8, warning that security forces would deal decisively with anyone planning to instigate unrest.
Commissioner of Police CP Ikioye Orutugu reiterated the command’s zero tolerance against cultism and politically motivated violence, appealing to parents and community leaders to help steer youths away from criminal groups.
“We will not allow cult gangs or hired thugs to destabilize Anambra State” the commissioner assured, noting that heightened security deployments would be in place across all the local government areas as election day approaches.
