Police Dismiss 3 Operatives For Kidnapping, Armed Robbery In Imo

The Imo State Police Command has dismissed three operatives for kidnapping, armed robbery and car snatching.

They are also to be arraigned before a law court for prosecution.

Imo State Police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the development on Friday after the trio were pronounced guilty saying, an orderly room trial found them culpable.

The dismissed operatives, ex-Sgt Gift Ekwueme, ex-Sgt Ikechukwu Eto and ex-Cpr Divine Okwuaru, have been detained at the Imo State Police headquarters.

The trio were alleged to have on February 8, 2026 alongside a civilian driver, Alex Chukwu, kidnapped and extorted one Mr Obinna Egbu of N1.7million at gunpoint in Owerri.

Okoye said the victim had reported the incident and the Police swung into action to nab the fleeing gunmen.

He said upon assumption of duty last week, the new Imo Police Commissioner, Audu Garba Bosso, warned that he would not tolerate any form of corruption, high-handedness and professional misconduct from operatives in the command, and that defaulters would be dealt with.

Okoye said the CP ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.

A source who pleaded anonymity said it was during investigations that it was discovered that the gunmen were Police operatives.

According to the source, the dismissed operatives had impersonated operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit popularly called Tiger Base and extorted Mr Egbu.

Okoye who confirmed the incident said, “Yes, the incident happened and after we received the complaint, the Police swung into investigation.

“They were arrested, detained, faced orderly room trial and after they were found guilty, they were dismissed and the Imo CP has ratified it. They are now ex-Policemen. They will be arraigned before the law court for prosecution.”