The Imo State Police Command has carried out one of its largest coordinated operations in recent months, arresting 147 suspects and killing five in gun battles across multiple communities.
The crackdown, which began last Friday and continued through the weekend, targeted suspected cultists, armed robbers, and members of proscribed groups believed to be planning attacks in Owerri and Orlu.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma said, “This is part of our intensified efforts to reclaim Imo from criminal elements. We won’t tolerate any form of terrorism or banditry in this state.”
Among those arrested were individuals allegedly involved in kidnapping and arson. Weapons, explosives, and communication gadgets were recovered from multiple hideouts, including a forest camp near Oguta.
Residents in several towns reported hearing gunshots and helicopters hovering overhead as the police raided hideouts. Although the operation sparked temporary panic, many residents praised the swift action.
“We sleep with one eye open most nights. If these arrests can give us peace, then we support it,” said Chika Odionye, a trader in Owerri.
Human rights groups, however, have urged transparency and due process, especially concerning the suspects who were neutralized.
Imo State has been grappling with unrest for over three years, with violent groups exploiting political and ethnic tensions. This operation marks a bold attempt to reset law and order in the troubled region.
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