The Imo State Police Command has paraded six criminal suspects who engage in kidnapping and armed robbery in various locations within the state.

A press statement from the desk of the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Henry Okoye, informed that the arrest of the suspects was effected through the swift response from the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, through an intelligence-led operation and painstaking investigations, which led to the rescue of a kidnapped victim, recovery of one locally made shotgun, one pump-action gun, two live cartridges, and seven additional live rounds of ammunition.

The police spokesperson stated that the command, on August 18, received a report on the kidnapping of a 26-year-old victim from her residence in Obinze, Owerri West LGA.

In response to the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, promptly deployed the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit with all available operational resources and intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safe rescue of the victim.

“Following the CP’s directives and the collection of actionable intelligence, the operatives targeted a forest hideout in Avu, where the suspects were located.

“During the operation, the team successfully rescued the victim unharmed and arrested five individuals: Umaru Usman, 40, from Mauree in Sokoto; Tukur Yau, 25, from Dawakinkudur in Kano State; Musbau Sabo, 18, from Warsaw LGA in Kano State; Abdul Ibrahim, 30, from Sokoto State; and Jubrin Idris, 35, from Sokoto State.

“The suspects were found in possession of one pump-action gun, five cartridges, two daggers, a cutlass, and various criminal charms,” the release stated.

ASP Okoye further stated that interrogation carried out by the Command revealed that the suspects were members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate responsible for terrorizing residents in Obinze, Avu, and surrounding areas, maintaining that there are ongoing investigations aimed at apprehending the remaining members of the gang and ensuring they face the full extent of the law.

He also stated the command recorded another breakthrough on August 21, when operatives from the Command Anti-Kidnapping Unit, during a routine patrol in Owerri Municipal, apprehended Nwauba Alex, a 25-year-old male from Ezza LGA, Ebonyi State.

The PPRO hinted that the suspect was arrested during a robbery operation where he was said to have robbed two residents at gunpoint near Aladinma Primary School, Owerri.

Recovered from him during the arrest were one locally made pistol, two rounds of live ammunition, and torchlights, with the victims rescued unharmed.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect admitted to the robbery and revealed that he purchased the shotgun from an individual in Ezza, Ebonyi State.

“Efforts are underway to locate and arrest the gun manufacturers, who will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the release further stated.

The police spokesperson pointed out that the breakthrough recorded in the operations underscores the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating crime and ensuring public safety in the state.

Following the development, the Police Commissioner, Danjuma, while commending the operatives for their professionalism in achieving the operational feat, urged them not to relent in ensuring that crimes are reduced to their barest minimum in the state.