Peace has returned in Imo –Police

From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

The Imo State Police Command said it has recorded significant breakthroughs in the fight against crime and criminality, leading to improved peace and security across the State within the first month of 2026.

The state Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, attributed the development to the support and encouragement from Governor Hope Uzodimma.

He added that his operatives were able to achieve the success through sustained operations by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams who arrested 25 suspects for offences bordering on kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, drug peddling, terrorism linked to IPOB/ESN, murder, child trafficking, stealing, and receiving stolen property.

Spokesperson of the state police command, Henry Okoye, said some of the suspects were arrested with various arms and ammunition as well as hard drugs. He said items recovered from the suspects included four assault rifles, 25  cartridges, two vehicles, three motorcycles, about 1,200kg (35 bags) of weeds, suspected stolen aluminium roofing sheets, and other incriminating exhibits.

Prominent among those arrested are suspected Eastern Security Network (ESN) members, namely Eririogu Chukwuebuka, 28 years of age, of Egwuede Atta, Njaba LGA; Ezemonye Orji, 32 years, of Edda, Afikpo, Ebonyi State; Kelechi Michael, 28 years, of Ubowuala, Emekuku, Owerri North LGA, and three others.

Okoye said the suspects were allegedly responsible for the 2021 murder of HRH Eze Durueburuo E. of Okwudo Autonomous Community, and HRH Eze Sampson Osunwa, the Traditional Ruler of Ihebinowere Autonomous Community, both in Njaba LGA, as well as kidnapping and armed robbery. Recovered from them were one AK-47 rifle, three magazines, 30 rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action gun, seven cartridges, and criminal charms.

‎Also, the command nabbed another notorious ESN member said to have been on the Command’s wanted list, Ezen Chinonso Ugochukwu, who was arrested at the boundary between Nnebukwu and Orsu Obodo in Oguta Local Government Area of he State.

Okoye said his confession led to the dismantling of an ESN camp at Orsu Obodo, where one AK-47 rifle, one LAR rifle, one pump-action gun, and 22 rounds of live ammunition were recovered. The suspect, he said, also confessed to the murder of unsuspecting victims by his syndicate, including a pastor and a pregnant young lady.

“All suspects and exhibits are currently in custody for thorough investigation and will be charged to court, accordingly, in line with the rule of law.

“The Commissioner of Police has reassured the Imolites of the Command’s sustained resolve to crush criminal networks and ensure public safety. He urged residents to remain vigilant and support the police and other security agencies with timely and actionable information to aid proactive policing.