The Imo State Police Command has arrested 28 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists, rescued seven victims and recovered 15 arms in the hideouts of the hoodlums.
Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Barde, said: “The command had a breakthrough when operatives raided hideouts of the hoodlums while they were waiting for ransom by the victims’ relatives.
“The Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) commander, Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, with his operatives stormed hideouts of the kidnappers in Njaba axis and arrested seven suspects who kidnapped two victims. They recovered AK47 rifles, magazines and 20 rounds of cartridges. The suspects confessed to the crime.
“The team arrested other armed robbery suspects along Owerri/Port Harcourt Expressway. The operatives arrested some others in Owerri. The suspects came from Onitsha, Anambra State.
“We have checkmated them in Owerri and Orlu axis where we mount constant patrol and surveillance in all the routes and flashpoints.
“In July and August, we arrested 20 suspected members of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), who attacked police officers on patrol in Ngor-Okpala/Mbaise area. We have charged them to court.
“The AKS arrested another set of suspected IPOB members. We recovered some dangerous weapons from them. This month will be too hot for IPOB. We are going after them in their communities and their hideouts.
“The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Olukayode Egbetokun has configured the security architecture in the areas of responsibility to ensure adequate security. The personnel should be disciplined professionals and respect fundamental rights of the people.
“Officers should conduct themselves with decorum and alertness to promote intelligence policing, proactive crime prevention strategies and community engagement.
“We want to thank the people of Imo State for given us useful information that enabled us to flush out the hoodlums from the state. The suspects will soon be charged to court.”