The Imo State Police Command has smashed and arrested a cult group behind armed robbery, phone-theft and phone tracking in Eziobodo, in the Owerri West local government area of the state.
Spokesperson of Imo Police Command, Henry Okoye made the disclosure on Saturday in Owerri, the state capital.
Okoye said the cult group who specialised in armed robbery and phone theft were apprehended following the complaint of a phone dealer after his shop was burgled and phones carted away.
“Following a complaint by a phone dealer whose shop in Eziobodo was burgled on 11th July, 2025, operatives of the Anti-Vice Unit arrested a suspect in possession of four brand-new stolen phones.
“Investigations led to the arrest of the principal burglar and another accomplice who specialised in altering phone IMEI numbers to evade tracking.
“All suspects are in custody, and efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate are ongoing,” Okoye said.
Meanwhile, in a different development, operatives of Orji Police Station in the Owerri North local government area, on Thursday, July 31st 2025 at about 2100hrs, arrested one Ernest Nweke ‘m’ at Bishop’s Court Roundabout, Owerri North LGA, following a distress call from concerned citizens.
Further, he said the suspect, a native of Umuoji in Ngor Okpala LGA and resident of World Bank Owerri, was arrested with a locally fabricated pistol after he alongside three others robbed one Emmanuel Feargod ‘m’ of Fountain of Knowledge Hostel.
The Police image maker said the perpetrators have confessed to the crime.
“Nweke, who confessed to being a member of the Vikings cult group, was identified by the victim who was arrested while the others fled.
“Based on his confession, four other suspects: Chamberlain Prince, Akujuobi Godwin, Ugwuelu Joseph, and Frederick Chigozie were arrested the next morning and also confessed to the crime.
“All suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will be duly prosecuted in court”, Okoye said.
For his part, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, who commended the officers for their swift action, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to fighting crime, even as he urged residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or via 0803 477 3600.
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