The Imo State Police Command has arrested seven suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate and recovered firearms and ammunition during a series of intelligence-led operations in Ihiagwa, Owerri West Local Government Area.
The arrests followed a complaint lodged on July 18, 2026, by a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, who reported being robbed at gunpoint along the FUTO Road in Ihiagwa.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Ihiagwa Police Division arrested three suspects on July 28, 2026. The suspects were identified as Stanley Nwachukwu, 26, Moses Okezie, 28, and Gabriel Confidence, 26. They were later transferred to the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigation.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly admitted to being members of the Vikings Confraternity and provided useful information that led to the arrest of four other suspects. They were identified as Emeka Oguike, 28, Gideon Kadiri, 21, Nnodim David, 21, and Kingsley Okwara, 22.
According to the police, the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal gangs and cult-related networks operating within the student community.
A search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of one cut-to-size English-made single-barrel gun, one locally fabricated revolver pistol, one locally made single-barrel gun and four live cartridges. Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspected members of the syndicate who remain at large.
Commending the operatives for the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Garba Bosso, praised their professionalism and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes across the state.
The Command also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing efforts to improve security and bring criminal elements to justice.
