The Imo State Police Command arrests 184 suspects in connection with kidnapping, and recovers arms and ammunition marking another major onslaught on crime and criminality
By Jude Nzennaya, Port Harcourt
Sustained intelligence-led crackdown on violent crime in Imo State and its environs has yielded a major result, leading to the arrest of no fewer than 184 suspects, rescuing kidnapped victims and recovering a significant cache of weapons and ammunition in two months.
The Commissioner of Police, (CP) Audu Garba Bosso, disclosed this on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 during a media briefing on recent operational successes recorded by the Imo State Police Command.
Bosso said the suspects were arrested in connection with kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery, murder, cultism, sexual offences, vehicle theft and other crimes, while three kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed.
Among the major breakthroughs was the dismantling of a suspected kidnappers’ and terrorists’ hideout in the Egbema River creek, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area (LGA) following the arrest of two alleged kidnapping kingpins.
Seven additional suspects were arrested during the operation, while police recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazines, ammunition, locally made guns, cartridges, a human skull and suspected criminal charms.
This is as Police investigations also linked the gang to the killing of two Imo State Homeland Security personnel in Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area (LGA), during an attempted kidnapping in May.
In a separate operation at the Obiakpu swamps, police recovered another 346 rounds of live ammunition and seven rifle magazines just as the Command also announced the arrest of two suspects in separate cases involving an alleged sexual abuse of some minors.
Bosso said efforts were ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects, recover more weapons and dismantle criminal networks operating across the state.
Meanwhile a tragic incident reportedly occurred on the Saturday morning of July 5, 2026 as a young man was arrested for allegedly stabbing his retired pilot father to death in rivers
The young man whose name is yet to be disclosed and who is said to be in his mid-30s, has been arrested by officers of the Rumupakani Police Division of the Rivers State Police Command for allegedly stabbing his father, Captain David Nwoke, a retired pilot, to death at Oro Ekpo Estate, Ada George, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
A resident of the estate, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said residents received a distress call from the estate’s security personnel at about 10:00a.m, informing them that one of the landlords had allegedly been killed by his son.
He said, “On Saturday morning, at about 10 a.m., we received a distress call from the security personnel at the estate gate that one of our landlords had been killed by his son. We rushed down to the scene and found the man lying in a pool of his blood, brutally murdered by his son.
“The victim was Captain David Nwoke, a retired pilot. From what we gathered, by the time we got there, his son had already stabbed him to death. We immediately alerted the police, who responded promptly. The suspect was arrested, while the victim’s body was evacuated to the morgue under police supervision.”
The resident further alleged that the suspect had a history of violence and assault towards his father, saying, “We gathered that the young man had been a terror to his father. He had allegedly been harassing and assaulting him on several occasions.”
According to the resident, the deceased had decided to sell one of his properties because of the alleged misconduct of his children.
“He sold the house where they were living, and the young man became enraged. We were told that he attacked his father from upstairs. The deceased came downstairs bleeding, but the suspect allegedly followed him and stabbed him repeatedly until he die,
“It appeared to be a premeditated act rather than an accident. From all indications, he had planned to kill his father,” the source added.
The incident occurred at Oro Ekpo Estate in the Rumupekirikom area of Obio/Akpor, near the Gateway axis and close to Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church.
The resident called on the authorities to ensure that justice is served.
“The law should take its full course, regardless of who is involved, to serve as a deterrent to other young people. They should work hard and understand that their parents have the right to dispose of their properties as they deem fit,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police Agabe Blessing Karibo, confirmed the incident, adding, “I can confirm that the suspect is in police custody. Investigations have commenced with a view to ensuring that justice is served.”
