Police Dismantles IPOB/ESN Syndicates, Kidnap Gangs, and Child Traffickers — Recovers Arms, Rescues Dozens
The Imo State Police Command has announced a major breakthrough in its ongoing offensive against violent crimes and criminal syndicates across the state, resulting in the arrest of 2,785 suspects and the rescue of 100 victims over the past six months.
This significant stride, attributed to the intensified efforts under the strategic leadership of Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma, includes the dismantling of networks linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), as well as various kidnap-for-ransom and child trafficking rings.
In a press statement released by DSP Okoye Henry, ANIPR, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, it was revealed that the operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with other tactical formations, successfully apprehended suspects involved in heinous crimes including kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery, cultism, murder, and child trafficking.
Among the major outcomes of these operations:
2,785 suspects arrested
58 kidnapped victims rescued
42 trafficked children recovered and reunited with families
An extensive cache of arms and explosives recovered, including:
2 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
14 AK-47 rifles
20 pump-action shotguns
4 fabricated rocket launchers
7 gas-cylinder improvised explosives
Locally made hand grenades
Hundreds of live ammunition and cartridges
Biafran insignias and criminal charms
According to the Command, these achievements mark a bold step toward neutralizing threats posed by non-state actors and restoring public confidence in law enforcement in Imo State.
“This Command will not relent in its mandate to rid the state of all forms of criminality. We call on members of the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with the police by providing timely and credible information,” DSP Henry emphasized.
The Imo Police Command’s success has drawn commendation from across the security architecture, with calls for continued synergy between security agencies and community stakeholders to sustain peace and security in the region.
As the Command reiterates its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, residents are encouraged to report suspicious activities and trust the process of law enforcement.
Source:
DSP OKOYE HENRY, ANIPR
Police Public Relations Officer
Imo State Police Command
CivicpulseNg Reporting
Imo State
20th July 2025.
