Imo State Police Command has arrested 20 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, recovered stolen vehicles and rescued five victims. It also recovered arms and ammunition from the hideouts of the hoodlums in Uturu, Abia.
Its Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye, said: “The Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) rescued a female student of the Imo State University while the kidnappers were waiting to collect ransom.
“Those arrested are Uzochukwu of Ubahaezike Okija in Ihiala LG, Anambra State and Igwe, from Umuenyi Igwuruta in Obiakpo LG, Rivers State. We recovered Lexus RX 300 jeep and Iphone belonging to the victims.
“The AKS Commander, Oladimeji Oyeyiwa and his operatives of the command attached to 18 Police Mobile Force on March 26, 2023, arrested while carrying out a stop-and-search along Onitsha/Owerri Road, two bandits suspected to be IPOB members and its armed affiliate, ESN, were arrested. The two suspects are Chidi of Nekede in Owerri West LG, Imo State and Ebuchika of Ihiala in Anambra State.
“We recovered some guns, live cartridges, two phones and black cap from them. Operatives arrested a group of suspected IPOB/ESN members on March 27, 2023, along Orlu/Ohi Road, when they disguised as mad men while in their bus.
“They ran away from the bus abandoning a sack bag containing 400 rounds of chain bullets of GPMG ammunition. During exchange of fire, one of the hoodlums was shot on the legs.
“The AKS arrested another set of armed robbers who had terrorised Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe. They made several attempts to rob and kidnap passengers.
“Operatives raided hideouts of the hoodlums arresting five suspects. They have made confessional statements. Dangerous weapons were recovered from them”.