• Rescue 13 kidnap victims, 10 stolen vehicles
• Recover 48 firearms, 552 live ammunition
Operatives from the Imo State Police Command have arrested 435 suspected criminals.
The suspects’ offenses ranged from murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, advance fee-fraud, cultism, stealing and receiving stolen property. Also, 13 kidnap victims were rescued and 10 stolen vehicles recovered.
Briefing journalists, on Thursday, the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye, said the arrests followed intense two-month manhunt for the criminals terrorising various parts of the state, led by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit head, Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).
According to him, the arrested suspects included the abductors and killers of the retired Maj. Gen. Richard Duru, last year, on Bishops’ Court, Owerri.
He regretted that the abductors collected $50,000 ransom before killing their victim, including dispossessing him of his black Mercedes Benz MG.L. 450 car with Registration Number LND 826 NG.
He said: “Over the past two months, the command has recorded significant achievements in the onslaught against crime and criminality in the state, resulting in the arrest of 435 suspects for various criminal offenses ranging from murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, advance fee-fraud, cultism activities, stealing and receiving stolen property. A total of 48 different firearms and 552 various calibers of live ammunition were recovered in the course of intelligence-led operations, continuous raids of suspected criminal hideouts, and painstaking investigations during which 13 kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt and 10 snatched vehicles were recovered.
“This remarkable breakthrough was sequel to the proactive operational strategies and security measures adopted by the Command, which played a crucial role in fostering community participation in the fight against violent crimes and thereby enhanced the overall safety and security of the state.”
Danjuma, continued: “Recall that on 27/09/2023 at about 2030hrs, late Major General Richard Duru Rtd was kidnapped along Bishops Court, Area 7 Orji/Uratta Owerri, and his black Mercedes Benz G.L. 450 car with registration number LND 826 NG snatched by the deadly syndicated. They killed the victim after collecting a ransom of 50,000 US dollars from his family. ”
