1 Killed, 12 Suspects Arrested As Police Dismantle Kidnapping Syndicates In Imo

The Imo State Police Command has revealed that one person lost his life, scores of others were injured, twelve suspects were arrested, hostages were rescued, and kidnapping syndicates were dismantled in a series of operations in the State.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Imo Command, Henry Okoye, disclosed this through a statement made available to the media on Friday.

“Through intensified operations by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, operatives dismantled several syndicates, rescued kidnapped victims, and recovered three (3) pump-action guns, two (2) AK-47 rifles, one (1) locally made pistol, thirty-one (31) rounds of ammunition and thirty-seven (37) live cartridges,” Okoye announced.

The PPRO said in one operation, officers arrested suspects identified as Odinaka Ekwebelem, Ejike Sunday and Chinedu Duru, who were allegedly linked to the abduction of a young man at Faith Glorious Assembly Church, Awo-Omamma, on 16 November 2025.

“Acting on intelligence, operatives traced the gang to a forest, rescued the victims unharmed, and recovered two (2) assault rifles.”

In another case, Okoye stated that police operatives arrested 26-year-old Frank Onyemaechi of Ama-Asaa, Ngugu, in the Ikeduru local government area, following the receipt of credible information.

He added that a search of his phone revealed disturbing images of deceased and kidnapped persons. “A follow-up search led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and the arrest of his wife, 24-year-old Chidimma Onyemaechi, who attempted to hide the weapon.”

According to Okoye, police operatives, in a separate development, raided a criminal hideout in Nchoko, Oru-East, where they arrested 22-year-old Nkwusi Tochukwu Casmir, 29-year-old Uchenna Ike, and 27-year-old Ikwunna David.

Okoye said, “The suspects confessed to being members of the NBM cult group terrorising the area,” assuring, however, that “the Unit is pursuing additional fleeing accomplices linked to the group.”

He added that while responding to reports of armed robbery and vehicle snatching in another operation, operatives confronted another gang attacking motorists at gunpoint.

“During the suspects’ escape attempt, one driver tragically lost his life after being attacked. The operatives arrested 25-year-old Okon Uket of Akwa Ibom and 25-year-old Uzoma Ezugo of Asaa in Ohaji LGA, while efforts continue to apprehend the remaining gang members.”

He emphasised that all arrested suspects will be thoroughly investigated and subsequently arraigned in court on the appropriate criminal charges.