Four Suspects Arrested in Imo During Police Raids

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested four suspects in a security operation in the forests of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.

Henry Okoye, the command’s spokesperson, shared this news in a statement to journalists on Thursday.

Okoye said the operation was led by officers from the Ohaji Divisional Headquarters, headed by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Mathias Abah, with help from local vigilantes.

The team searched forested areas in Assa, Ohuba, Adapalm Plantation, and nearby communities. This was part of ongoing efforts to fight crime and boost security in the area.

He explained that this action followed a directive from the Commissioner of Police in the state, Audu Bosso. The directive called for continuous forest-clearing operations across Imo to improve safety for people and property.

Okoye said, "Operatives of the Ohaji Divisional Headquarters, led by the DPO, in collaboration with local vigilantes, on June 10, 2026, conducted bush-combing and clearance operations across forested areas within Assa, Ohuba, Ada Palm Plantation and adjoining communities in Ohaji as part of ongoing proactive security measures directed by the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Bosso.

"The operation involved a thorough combing of identified locations aimed at denying criminal elements safe havens and sustaining peace and security within the area. During the exercise, four male suspects were arrested and are currently undergoing interrogation as investigations continue."

This recent operation comes just two weeks after 24 suspects were arrested during a major forest-clearing exercise in Owerri West Local Government Area.

On May 25, ACP Michael Abattam, the Area Commander for Owerri Urban, led over 250 police officers and vigilante groups in an intensive search of thick forests in Eziobodo, Ihiagwa, and Okolochi communities, resulting in multiple arrests.

Residents of Eziobodo, where the Federal University of Technology Owerri is located, and nearby areas have often expressed worry about increasing cases of kidnapping and attacks by armed criminals hiding in the forests.

These fears grew after the death of Chimuanya Eke, who was reportedly shot while trying to buy medicine for his child. He later died at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri, leaving behind a wife and five children.

The incident led to protests from Eziobodo residents and those from surrounding communities. They demanded that the state government and security agencies take stronger actions to improve safety and remove criminals from their area.