The Imo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on kidnapping and violent crimes with the arrest of a suspected gun-runner allegedly supplying ammunition to kidnapping syndicates operating across the state.
Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Bosso, disclosed the development during a press briefing on Friday, revealing that the arrest followed sustained intelligence-driven operations that also led to the apprehension of two suspected kidnapping kingpins, the rescue of an abducted victim, and the recovery of a significant cache of firearms and ammunition.
According to the police commissioner, the suspected gun-runner, a native of Rivers State, was arrested after members of a kidnapping syndicate earlier apprehended by the command allegedly confessed during interrogation that he was their major supplier of ammunition.
Bosso explained that the investigation gained momentum after operatives carried out a follow-up raid on a suspected kidnappers' and terrorists' hideout located in the Egbema River creek in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State. During the operation, police successfully rescued a kidnapped victim held captive by the criminal gang.
The intelligence gathered from the rescue operation subsequently led to the arrest of two suspected leaders of the syndicate identified as Confidence Vitalis, 28, from Ukugba community in Egbema, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, and Ishiaya Rejoice, 32, from Emuoha in neighbouring Rivers State.
The commissioner said the suspects' confessional statements further guided operatives to additional hideouts used by the criminal network, where several dangerous weapons, ammunition and other incriminating exhibits were recovered.
Items recovered during the operation included one AK-47 rifle, four AK-47 magazines, sixteen rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, three locally fabricated cut-to-size guns, sixteen live cartridges, one empty Beretta magazine, twenty rounds of General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) ammunition, a human skull and assorted charms suspected to have been used for criminal rituals.
Bosso noted that preliminary investigations have linked the gang to the recent killing of two personnel of the Imo State Homeland Security, describing the development as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks terrorising parts of the state.
He assured residents that investigations have been intensified to track down other members of the syndicate who escaped during the operation, stressing that the command remains committed to ensuring they are brought to justice.
In a separate intelligence-led operation, police operatives stormed the Obiakpu swamps in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area following credible information about the activities of armed criminal groups in the area.
The operation resulted in the recovery of a large cache of ammunition concealed within the swamp. Recovered items included 346 rounds of live ammunition comprising 122 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 148 rounds of M16 ammunition and 76 rounds of 9mm Beretta pistol ammunition. Seven magazines were also recovered from the location.
The commissioner described the recoveries as a major setback for criminal elements operating within the state, noting that denying them access to weapons and ammunition remains a critical strategy in the fight against kidnapping, terrorism and other violent crimes.
Bosso reaffirmed the commitment of the Imo State Police Command to sustaining intelligence-driven operations across all parts of the state. He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring them that all reports would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
He emphasized that collaboration between security agencies and the public remains essential to eliminating criminal activities and restoring lasting peace and security across Imo State.
