The Imo State Police Command has announced that it has busted several criminal hideouts, leading to the arrest of 2,785 suspects involved in various criminal offences, ranging from armed robbery and kidnapping to child trafficking.

The command also stated that it recovered 20 pump-action guns, 14 AK-47 rifles, two general purpose machine guns, and four fabricated rocket launchers, among other weapons.

A press statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, revealed that the successful operations were the result of over six months of intensive activities carried out by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with other divisions and formations.

According to the statement, the operations also led to the rescue of 58 kidnapped victims and 42 stolen children, many of whom have since been reunited with their families.

The statement further disclosed that investigations into the various cases resulted in the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives. These included two general purpose machine guns, 14 AK-47 rifles, 20 pump-action guns, four fabricated rocket launchers, seven gas-cylinder explosives, locally made hand grenades, assorted rounds of live ammunition, cartridges, and criminal charms, among other items.

Among the key suspects arrested were Amechi Onyebuchi, 38, Ozioma Ihedoro, 39, Cyprian Ikpegbunam, 50, and Uchenna Opara, 30. The suspects were said to be members of a notorious criminal gang responsible for multiple attacks on security formations and public infrastructure in Njaba LGA.

The command’s spokesperson noted that the arrests were made by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence in conjunction with other tactical teams.

Okoye stated that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to the kidnap and murder of one Emmanuel Oguzie, allegedly on the orders of a gang leader known as Asari, who, according to the statement, remains on the command’s wanted list.

In a separate but related case, two suspected kidnappers, Uche Nwachukwu, 24, and Chinonso Ozirim, 32, were arrested for abducting one Mr Anayo Iwuoha from his compound at Akabo, Ikeduru LGA, on June 20, 2025.

According to Okoye, the syndicate held the victim at Chinonso Ozirim’s residence and collected a ransom of N2.2 million before a joint operation by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and local vigilantes led to the rescue of the victim and the arrest of the suspects.

He added that a manhunt is ongoing for the arrest of other fleeing accomplices.

“Recently apprehended is also, Wisdom Chinazaekpere Ogbonna ,36, of Orlu LGA, a notorious member of the Vikings Confraternity. Ogbonna had been on the run for two years following the brutal murder of a young man known as “Pikin,” who was mistakenly identified as a rival cultist and butchered with knives by Ogbonna and three other gang members.

“He was recently apprehended by operatives of Orlu Division for burglary and stealing, but upon further profiling and transfer to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, he was identified as one of the cultists involved in the heinous murder. All the suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of investigation, ” according Okoye.