Imo Police operatives arrest 7 suspects, recover arms

Imo Police operatives have arrested seven suspected armed robbers and recoverd firearms and ammunition during intelligence-led operations in Ihiagwa, Owerri West Local Government Area (LGA).

According to the Command’s spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, in a statement issued to newsmen in Owerri at the weekend, “The operation followed a report made on July 18, 2026, by a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede who alleged that he was robbed at gunpoint along FUTO Road, Ihiagwa.

“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of Ihiagwa Police Division arrested three suspects on July 28, 2026, namely Stanley Nwachukwu (26), Moses Okezie (28), and Gabriel Confidence (26). The suspects were subsequently transferred to Anti Kidnapping Unit for further investigation.”.

He furrher said, “During the investigation, the suspects allegedly confessed to membership of the Vikings Confraternity and provided information that led to the arrest of four additional suspects identified as Emeka Oguike (28), Gideon Kadiri (21), Nnodim David (21), and Kingsley Okwara (22) at different locations. The arrests were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within the student community.”

He said that further investigatuons conducted during the operation led to the recovery of one cut-to-size English-made single-barrel gun, one locally made revolver pistol, one locally made single-barrel gun, and four rounds of live cartridges, adding that Investigations were ongoing to apprehend other suspected members currently at large.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Imo state command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, has commended the operatives for their professionalism and reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to combating cultism, armed robbery, and other violent crimes.

He also encouraged members of the public to continue to support the police with timely and credible information.