The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Audu Garba Bosso, has enumerated the achievements of his command in the past few months
He made the revelations while briefing journalists during a parade of criminal suspects alongside recovered exhibits on 22nd May, 2026, at the Command Headquarters, Owerri.
On parade were several stolen cars , recovered rifles and ammunition as well as other stolen items
CP Bosso stated his command’s zero tolerance for criminal elements operating in the State
He commended the bravery and sense of duty by officers and men of the Command in their efforts at combating crimes
Here are some of the exhibits displayed at the press briefing
Full Statement
PRESS BRIEFING AND PARADE OF CRIMINAL SUSPECTS AND EXHIBITS BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, IMO STATE COMMAND, CP AUDU GARBA BOSSO, psc(+), mnips HELD ON FRIDAY 22ND MAY, 2026 AT THE COMMAND HEADQUARTERS, OWERRI*
Good day, gentlemen of the press. I warmly welcome you to this press briefing and the parade of criminal suspects and exhibits. This briefing is part of our continued commitment to keeping members of the public and the media properly informed on the security situation and ongoing operational activities of the Imo State Police Command.
The Imo State Police Command, under my stewardship, has continued to record a series of operational achievements in the fight against crime and criminality. In the past two months under review, the Command, through painstaking investigations and intelligence-led operations, arrested a total of 179 criminal suspects for various offences including armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, rape, cultism, stealing and receiving stolen property, obtaining money under false pretences, terrorism-related offences linked to suspected IPOB/ESN elements, and murder.
In the course of investigating the aforementioned suspects, a large number of exhibits were recovered, including two General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 6 AK-47 rifles, ten pump-action guns, four locally fabricated single-barrel guns, one pistol, one long gun, two magazines, a large cache of assorted live ammunition, fabricated firearms, criminal charms, 7 suspected stolen vehicles, a human skull, stolen motorcycles, and other incriminating items. Some of the suspects have been arraigned in court, while others are undergoing detailed investigation.
Prominent among the arrests is a notorious commander of the proscribed Eastern Security Network (ESN), Mr. Uchenna Mmaduakolam, popularly known as “Ebube Virus,” aged 43 years, of Ihiteafor-Ukwu in Ahiara Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, who confessed to being involved in a series of violent attacks in parts of the State, including Mbaise, Ngor-Okpala, Mbano, Owerri, and Obowo LGAs.
Also arrested are six (6) suspected members of a proscribed IPOB/ESN group during separate intelligence-led coordinated operations. The suspects include Gerald Oparaji, also known as “Ezemuo,” Kingsley Achi (61 years), Collins Mbam Chinasa (66 years), Ozioma Chima (28 years), Calista Onyenso (39 years), and Shedrack King (39 years), a native of Warri, Delta State. They were arrested following investigations into their alleged involvement in terrorism-related activities and other acts of criminality in the State.
In the course of investigating these suspects Two GPMG riffles, 3115 rounds of live ammunition, four Ak 47 riffles, 238 Ak 47 ammunition, seven pump action guns, Biafra Libration Uniforms, Two Locally made single barrel guns, one human skull, six different makes of vehicles which includes two Toyota Sienna, one Lexus 330 RX SUV, three motorcycles, three bags of substance suspected to be Indian Hemp and various criminal charms were recovered in their hideouts.
In a related development, operatives of the Imo State Police Command, on 22nd May, 2026, in synergy with the Military and local vigilante groups, successfully dislodged a kidnapping hideout located at Ndegwu Forest in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
On sighting the operatives, the armed hoodlums engaged the security team in a gun duel. The operatives responded professionally and with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to flee into the adjoining bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
During the operation, three (3) kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt. They include Mr. Ogboma Emmanuel E., aged 47 years, of Umuezu Umuagubiam, Oforola in Owerri West LGA, Mr Ugochukwu Osigwe Edmond 60yrs, of Umuoba Irete, Owerri West LGA, and Mr Ebere Okpara Vitus, 60yrs. Unfortunately, a yet-to-be-identified male victim sustained gunshot injuries, was evacuated to the hospital where he was later confirmed dead.
*ARREST OF SUSPECT OVER ALLEGED RAPE, CYBERSTALKING AND CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION*
In a different development detectives of the Command, on 14th May 2026 at about 1434hrs, arrested one Chigaemezu Joseph Chukwudi, male, aged 22 years, of Nduawa Arondizuogu in Ideato North LGA, at the Roundabout along Orji/Amakohia Road, Spibat Area, Owerri North LGA, for his alleged involvement in rape, cyberstalking, and criminal intimidation of a 19-year-old girl.
Investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly deceived the victim into accompanying him to Lekim Royal Hotel and Suites, New Owerri, under the guise of taking measurements and sewing shirts for him, where he allegedly had non-consensual sexual intercourse with her, recorded the act on his phone, and thereafter used the video to threaten, intimidate, and coerce her into further sexual acts, with threats to circulate the video online should she refuse.
The suspect is currently in custody while a comprehensive investigation is ongoing. He will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.
*ARREST OF SUSPECTED CRIMINAL AND RECOVERY OF AK-47 RIFLE AND OTHER EXHIBITS*
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command, acting on credible intelligence and sustained surveillance operations, on 6th May 2026, arrested one suspect identified as Samuel Ashagwara ‘m’, aged 50, at his house in Umukwune, Irete, for unlawful possession of firearm.
A thorough search conducted at his house led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, twenty-seven (27) rounds of live ammunition, two magazines, one Police bulletproof vest, one fabricated wooden gun, an axe, and criminal charms.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted possession of the firearm, claiming he is a vigilante and that he recovered it from bandits operating within the Irete axis in 2024 but failed to hand it over to security operatives as required by law.
The suspect is currently in custody pending further investigation.
*ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS*
The Command recorded the arrest of five (5) suspects for their involvement in secret cult activities which led to a rampage in Egbema Community, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State. The suspects include Ifeanyi Okafor ‘m’, 20 years; James Christian ‘m’, 17 years; Udemba Chima ‘m’, 24 years; Udemba Ogochukwu ‘m’, 18 years; and Oluebube Nwankwo ‘m’, 23 years.
The suspects were arrested between 4th and 5th May, 2026 following credible intelligence linking them to cult-related activities that resulted in panic, unrest, and sporadic shootings within the community.
*ARREST OF SUSPECT OVER CONSPIRACY, ARMED ROBBERY AND HOSTAGE-TAKING*
The Command also arrested one Prince Nicholas Chukwu Igwe ‘m’, 52 years, of Awoma Assa in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, for conspiracy, armed robbery, and hostage-taking.
The suspect allegedly conspired with members of his gang at large to rob and kidnap one Engr. Oguike Ikechukwu Godspower on 23rd April, 2026 at about 0500hrs at Mgbirichi, Ohaji/Egbema LGA. The suspects were armed with guns and other offensive weapons and operated using a Lexus ES 300 saloon car with registration number RRT 975 AH.
Investigation further revealed that the suspect had earlier served a prison sentence of over thirteen (13) years at the Nigeria Correctional Service between 2010 and 2021 for armed robbery, hostage-taking, and receiving stolen vehicles, but allegedly returned to criminal activities after his release.
*ARREST OF SUSPECT OVER ARMED ROBBERY*
Operatives of the Command arrested one Ifeanyi Anyandike ‘m’, 24 years, of Etekwuru in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, for armed robbery.
The arrest followed credible intelligence regarding a gang of armed men who were firing sporadically along Nekede Old Road in Owerri West LGA on 16th April, 2026 at about 1900hrs. Acting on the report, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Owerri, swiftly moved to the scene where one Saviour Friday Joseph ‘m’ was robbed of his red Daylong 150 motorcycle by a three-man gang operating on a black Q-Link motorcycle.
During the operation, the suspect was arrested and exhibits recovered from him include one pump-action gun, one live cartridge, and two expended cartridges. The stolen motorcycle was also recovered at Awara Community in Ohaji/Egbema LGA.
The suspect confessed to the crime and mentioned other members of his gang currently at large. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Command remains highly committed to sustaining and enhancing peace and security across Imo State. In this regard, we have intensified intelligence-led operations, show-of-force exercises, and confidence-building patrols across various parts of the State to consolidate the existing security gains.
These proactive measures are aimed at ensuring that emerging security threats in areas such as Ihiagwa, Nekede, Irete, Ogbaku, and other parts of Owerri West and adjoining communities are promptly identified and decisively addressed. The Command assures residents that all necessary efforts are being sustained to proactively nip such threats in the bud and guarantee the safety and security of all law-abiding citizens.
DSP Henry Okoye
Command's Public Relations Officer
For Commissioner of Police, Imo State