By Sophia Afolabi
The Imo State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs in the fight against crime and criminality, leading to improved peace and security across the state within the first month of 2026.
This was disclosed during a press conference held in Owerri by the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, through the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Okoye Henry.
The briefing highlighted the Command’s renewed commitment to proactive policing and public safety.
The achievements followed enhanced security strategies implemented by the Commissioner of Police, AIG Aboki Danjuma, who was recently promoted.
These strategies have strengthened intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated operations across the state.
Through sustained operations by the Command’s Anti Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams, twenty five suspects were arrested for offences bordering on kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, drug peddling, terrorism linked to IPOB and ESN, murder, child trafficking, stealing and receiving stolen property.
During investigations, operatives recovered four assault rifles, twenty five cartridges, two vehicles, three motorcycles, about 1,200kg, being thirty five bags, of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa, suspected stolen aluminium roofing sheets and other incriminating exhibits.
Prominent among those arrested are suspected ESN members, Eririogu Chukwuebuka, aged 28, of Egwuede Atta, Njaba LGA, Ezemonye Orji, aged 32, of Edda, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Kelechi Michael, aged 28, of Ubowuala, Emekuku, Owerri North LGA, and three others.
The suspects are allegedly responsible for the 2021 murders of His Royal Highness Eze Durueburuo E. of Okwudo Autonomous Community and His Royal Highness Eze Sampson Osunwa, Traditional Ruler of Ihebinowere Autonomous Community, both in Njaba LGA, as well as several cases of kidnapping and armed robbery.
Recovered from the suspects were one AK 47 rifle, three magazines, thirty rounds of live ammunition, one pump action gun, seven cartridges and criminal charms.
In another development, acting on a tip off, operatives intercepted an ash coloured Ford J5 bus at Nkweshi, Oguta LGA, and arrested two drug peddlers who were conveying a large consignment of illicit substances to criminal networks in Eziorsu.
About 1,200kg, being thirty five bags, of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa and other prohibited substances were recovered.
The arrest forms part of the Command’s effort to disrupt criminal logistics and curb the spread of hard drugs that fuel violent crimes across the state.
Similarly, acting on credible intelligence, operatives arrested a notorious ESN member on the Command’s wanted list, Ezen Chinonso Ugochukwu, male, aged 31, at the boundary between Nnebukwu and Orsu Obodo in Oguta LGA.
His confession led to the dismantling of an ESN camp at Orsu Obodo, where one AK 47 rifle, one LAR rifle, one pump action gun and twenty two rounds of live ammunition were recovered.
The suspect also confessed to the murder of unsuspecting victims by his syndicate, including a pastor and a pregnant young lady.
All suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody for thorough investigation and will be charged to court accordingly, in line with the rule of law.
The Commissioner of Police reassured Imolites of the Command’s sustained resolve to crush criminal networks and ensure public safety.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support the Police and other security agencies with timely and actionable information by reporting suspicious activities through the emergency line, 0803 477 3600.
