By Emmanuel Iheaka

OWERRI – The police in Imo State said they have arrested nine persons suspected of being involved in multiple violent attacks in the state.

A statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, noted that the police acted on credible intelligence.

Okoye disclosed that one of the suspects sustained a leg injury during a gunfight.

“In a sustained effort to restore peace and security across Imo State, operatives of the Imo State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, successfully conducted coordinated operations targeting notorious criminal elements in Ahiazu Mbaise and Njaba Local Government Areas.

“During a targeted operation at Eke Eziama in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA on 31/05/2025, John Bosco Onuocha, aged 34, of Ihiteaforukwu, Ahiazu Mbaise, and his cohorts opened fire on the operatives. In the ensuing gunfight, Onuocha sustained a leg injury before he was apprehended, while others escaped to the adjoining bushes.

“He is linked to multiple violent attacks that have claimed the lives of security personnel and traditional leaders in the Mbaise axis.

“Items recovered at the scene included one GPMG gun, two chain magazines loaded with two hundred rounds of live ammunition, one AK-47 rifle without a breach number, fifty-six rounds of live ammunition, and four magazines.

“The suspect confessed to playing a prominent role in numerous terrorist attacks across Imo State. He further revealed that the automatic rifles were supplied by a notorious commander of the ESN terrorist group, known as B44, with the intent of reactivating their terrorist camp. Onuocha has been taken to a medical facility in Owerri for treatment.

“In a separate but related operation in Njaba, operatives of the Anti Kidnapping Unit apprehended three notorious members of the proscribed Eastern Security Network (ESN), identified as Ozioma Ihedoro (aka Mazi Oz), Uchenna Opara (aka Nta-Nta Mmiri), and Amaefule Emeka (aka Odopu). During interrogation, Emeka confessed to his involvement in the 2021 attack on the Federal Correctional Centre.

“Items recovered from the suspects include one AK-47 rifle, two pump-action guns, five live cartridges, Biafra insignias, and various criminal charms.

Furthermore ,five accomplices—Ugwuegbu Cynthia, Ikewgbado Kennedy, Amaefule Chukwuamare Emmanuel, Eke Anayo, and Eke Chukwudi were apprehended in Njaba LGA following the confessions of the previously arrested suspects”, the statement read.