By Chinenye Onwusonye
The Imo State Police Command has announced a major breakthrough in its fight against crime, with the arrest of five suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate, the rescue of a victim, and the recovery of 450 motorcycles believed to be stolen.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, and dated April 12, 2026, the Command disclosed that the operation was carried out by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa.
According to the statement, the operation led to the recovery of a snatched shuttle bus, a cash sum of ₦6,495,900, several vehicle plate numbers, and other incriminating exhibits, including suspected criminal charms.
The incident reportedly began on April 6, 2026, after a distress call from Mr. Chimeze Christian, owner of Wonder Shuttle, who reported that his driver, Paul Ejike Ohaka, and a vehicle with registration number KPU 26 XA had gone missing.
Police said the driver was later found unconscious along the Irete axis of Onitsha Road after being attacked by assailants who made away with the vehicle. He was subsequently rescued and is currently receiving medical attention at Vadan Hospital in New Owerri.
Further details in the statement revealed that operatives traced the stolen vehicle to a workshop in Orlu, where it was about to be repainted in an attempt to conceal its identity. Two suspects were arrested at the location, while additional arrests were made following subsequent investigations.
The suspects were said to have confessed to operating under the direction of a fleeing suspect identified as Osita Chigbo, also known as “Barr. Oguta,” who remains at large.
A search of the suspects’ premises led to the initial recovery of 13 motorcycles, while follow-up operations resulted in the recovery of hundreds more, bringing the total to 450 suspected stolen motorcycles.
The statement further disclosed that the suspects failed to provide proof of ownership and allegedly attempted to relocate the motorcycles to nearby bush paths before being intercepted by police operatives acting on credible intelligence.
In a related development, the suspects reportedly attempted to bribe the operatives with ₦5 million, an offer that was rejected in line with the Command’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption.
The Commissioner of Police, according to the statement, has directed that the suspects be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven in Imo State.
The Command also appreciated members of the public for their cooperation and urged continued support through timely and credible information sharing.
