The Imo State Police Command has arrested seven suspected armed robbers and recovered firearms and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation targeting criminal activities around the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and the Ihiagwa community in Owerri West Local Government Area.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, the operation was described as part of sustained efforts to combat violent crime and enhance security across the state.
According to the statement, the operation followed a report filed on July 18 by a student of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, who alleged that he was robbed at gunpoint along the FUTO–Ihiagwa Road.
Acting on the report, police operatives arrested three suspects identified as Stanley Nwachukwu, Moses Okezie and Gabriel Confidence.
The command said the suspects were transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, where they allegedly confessed to being members of the Vikings Confraternity and provided information that led to the arrest of four additional suspects identified as Emeka Oguike, Gideon Kadiri, Nnodim David and Kingsley Okwara.
Police said the operation also led to the recovery of a cut-to-size English-made single-barrel gun, a locally made revolver pistol, a locally made single-barrel gun and four rounds of live cartridges.
The command disclosed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the suspected criminal network.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Garba Bosso, commended the operatives for their professionalism and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
He also urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to strengthen security across the state.
