BREAKING: Bandits’ Hideout at Control-Fly-Over, Brothels linked to criminal activities pulled down, arms recovered – arrests commercial vehicles using under-bridge of newly commissioned fly-over as loading bays

The Imo State Government has demolished a notorious hideout at Control Fly-Over Owerri, which security reports confirmed was being used by bandits as a base of operations. The operation became more imperative following the commissioning of the newly built Control-Assumpta Twin Fly-Over days back, as the government moved to safeguard the landmark project and guarantee the safety of commuters and residents around the strategic gateway.

The exercise was carried out by the Office of the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, headed by Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, in collaboration with security agencies. According to intelligence, the location, which also operated as a brothel, had long served as a meeting point for armed criminals who planned kidnappings, robberies, and other violent crimes from the spot.

During the operation, a large cache of arms and dangerous weapons was recovered by security operatives and handed over to the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution. Several suspects were also arrested for further questioning.

In a related enforcement, commercial vehicles that attempted to convert the under-bridge of the newly commissioned Control-Assumpta Fly-Over into illegal loading bays were impounded. The state government announced that the operators involved will face immediate prosecution, stressing that no misuse of critical infrastructure will be tolerated.

Residents who gathered at the scene welcomed the demolition and arrests, describing the measures as timely and in line with the governor’s resolve to match infrastructure development with stronger security. Many said the site had been a persistent threat to safety in the area and praised Governor Hope Uzodimma for not only building but also securing Owerri for the people.

Speaking after the operation, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri emphasized that the government will not allow criminal elements or illegal activities to undermine public safety. “The directive of His Excellency is clear: there must be no safe haven for criminals or lawbreakers in this state. Wherever they are identified, we will act immediately,” he said.

The government pledged to sustain similar operations across the state until all identified criminal hideouts and illegal practices are eliminated.