Nov. 11, 2025
The Imo Police Command says no fewer than 30 suspects in its custody are currently facing charges, including armed robbery, cultism, and illegal firearm possession, in court.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued in Owerri by its Spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday.
Okoye stated that the suspects were caught and detained after successful operations by the command’s Quick Intervention Team (QIT) and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
He added that a large cache of arms and ammunition, three snatched vehicles, and two motorcycles were recovered from the suspects.
“On Nov. 7, at about 7pm, armed hoodlums snatched a Mercedes Benz GLE 350, with registration number ABC-10CG, from one Chukwuebuka and his friends at Ikenegbu by Holy Family Catholic Hospital, Owerri.
“Following a distress call, QIT operatives tracked the vehicle towards Okigwe Road and recovered it at about 10:30pm.
“One suspect, Adamu Sani of Kachia LGA, Kaduna State, was caught and he confessed to the crime, naming Abdullahi, Emmanuel, and Emeka as his accomplices,” he added.
Okoye also stated that on Nov. 8, at about 3am, the QIT operatives recovered a black Toyota Hilux with Reg. Number NEM-14AG, reportedly stolen from a hotel in Rivers.
According to him, the vehicle was abandoned at New Owerri by De Angels at about 5am.
“On the same day, a Toyota Venza, earlier snatched by three armed men at New Owerri by De Compound on Nov. 7, was also recovered at Yar’Adua Drive by Chosen Church at about 5pm.
“All vehicles have been identified by their owners, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects,” he stated.
In another development, Okoye stated that on Nov. 2, the RRS, while on a stop-and-search duty on Owerri-Aba Road, intercepted two young men in a commercial bus heading for Owerri.
He stated that a search conducted on them led to the recovery of a cut-to-size locally fabricated double-barrel gun with three live cartridges.
“The suspects, identified as Uchechukwu Ahamefule, 25, and Miracle Eberechi, 28, both of Ogbu Umuorji, Osisioma, Abia, confessed to being members of a cult group.
“They admitted to having seized the firearm from a rival cult group in Aba for their own protection.
“The case is under investigation as further efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of their syndicate,” Okoye added.
He urged residents to remain law-abiding and always help the command with useful information that could assist in keeping the state safe.
