Imo Police Command dismantles kidnapping, robbery, cult syndicates

In an effort to stamp out violent crimes across and criminal networks has Imo State, the Imo State Police Command has dismantled several syndicates, rescued kidnapped victims, and recovered three pump-action guns, two AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, thirty-one rounds of ammunition and thirty-seven live cartridges.

Henry Okoye, a deputy superintendent and Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said this through a post in the Police/Media platform .

He stated that in one operation, the operatives of the Imo Police Command had arrested Odinaka Ekwebelem, Ejike Sunday, and Chinedu Duru, linked to the abduction of a young man at Faith Glorious Assembly Church, Awo-Omamma on November 16, 2025. And that the operatives traced the gang to a forest where they rescued the victims unharmed, and recovered two assault rifles.

Read also: Police foil kidnapping attempt in Bwari, lose officer in shootout

In another operation, the police arrested 26-year-old Frank Onyemaechi of Ama-Asaa, Ngugu in Ikeduru Local Government Area, after they received credible information, he said.

And a search of his phone which was conducted by the police operatives revealed some disturbing images of deceased and kidnapped persons. A follow-up search led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and the arrest of his wife, 24-year-old Chidinma Onyemaechi, who attempted to hide the weapon.

In a different development, the PPRO said that the police raided a criminal hideout in Nchoko in Oru-East and arrested 22-year-old Nkwusi Tochukwu Casmir, 29-year-old Uchenna Ike, and 27-year-old Ikwunna David.

According to him, the suspects confessed to being members of the NBM cult group that terrorised the area, and the police had begun to pursue other fleeing accomplices linked to the group.

Read also: Imo Police swoop on kidnappers’ den in Owerri West, recover dead body

In a similar incident, while the police operatives were responding to reports of armed robbery and vehicle snatching, they accosted another gang attacking motorists at gunpoint.

And during the suspects’ escape attempt, one driver tragically lost his life after being attacked. But the operatives arrested 25-year-old Okon Uket of Akwa Ibom and 25-year-old Uzoma Ezugo of Asaa in Ohaji LGA, and efforts have continued to apprehend the remaining gang members, he said.

Meanwhile, Aboki Danjuma, Commissioner of Police in Imo State, has assured the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensure a safe, secure, and peaceful yuletide season across the state. This is as he urged the residents to remain calm, vigilant, law-abiding, and to avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic.

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