From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Imo State Police Command has arrested a native doctor, Ihedoro, popularly known as B44, alleged to be a spiritual leader to a wanted member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at Umuaka, Njaba Local Government of the state.
Imo State Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO),Henry Okoye said the 37-year -old native doctor,who was allegedly arrested by its Anti – kidnapping unit with an Ak 47 riffle hidden in his shrine has been on the police watch list for a long time.
“He admitted being the spiritual adviser to an IPOB/ESN commander, B44. The police conducted a search in his shrine and recovered an AK-47 rifle, three magazines, and seven live ammunition. He is cooperating with investigators, providing intelligence to dismantle other syndicate at large.
“Over the past two months, the command has intensified its efforts in enhancing the peace and security of the state through series of well coordinated operations across the state. These efforts, executed under the strategic leadership of Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma have resulted in significant successes in combating crime”, Okoye said.
Similarly, Okoye disclosed that following investigations and intelligence-led operations, 147 suspects were arrested for crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, rape, stealing, receiving stolen property, child trafficking, and terrorism.
“We recovered seven AK-47 rifles, three AK-47 magazines, seven Pump Action Guns ( PAG), seven locally fabricated long guns, 178 live cartridges, three motorcycles, various denominations of Biafra currency, four Biafra flags, and charms.”
He said that during operations, five suspected criminals were neutralised during gun battles with police and seven kidnapped victims were successfully rescued.