Police nab suspected gun dealer in Imo

The Imo State Police Command has arrested a suspected gun dealer from Rivers State. He is accused of supplying bullets to kidnapping groups operating in Imo State.

During a press briefing on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, said the suspect was arrested after police detained members of a kidnapping group. These members reportedly told investigators where they got their ammunition.

In another case, the police commissioner announced the arrest of two suspected kidnapping leaders. They are Confidence Vitalis, 28, from Ukugba, Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, and Ishiaya Rejoice, 32, from Emuoha in Rivers State.

Bosso explained that the suspects were arrested after police conducted a follow-up operation at a hideout for kidnappers and terrorists in the Egbema River creek. They also rescued a victim taken by the same kidnapping group.

“Information gathered from the rescue operation helped lead to the arrest of the kingpins. Their confessions directed police to the suspects’ hideout, resulting in the latest operation,” he said.

“During the operation, the Command seized one AK-47 rifle, four AK-47 magazines, sixteen rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, three locally made cut-to-size guns, sixteen live cartridges, one empty Beretta magazine, twenty rounds of GPMG ammunition, one human skull, and various criminal charms.”

He also mentioned that investigations tied the gang to the recent killing of two members of the Imo State Homeland Security.

“Further investigation showed that this same gang was behind the killing of two personnel of the Imo State Homeland Security at Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area. This happened during an attempt to kidnap Mrs. Betty Oluchi Dike. Police are working hard to catch other members of the gang who are still on the run.”

Bosso said that following reliable intelligence, police operatives raided the Obiakpu swamps in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area. They found a large amount of ammunition there.

“In a related event, acting on good intelligence, operatives from the Imo State Police Command raided the Obiakpu swamps in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area. They recovered another 346 rounds of live ammunition. This included 122 rounds for AK-47, 148 rounds for M16 rifles, and 76 rounds for 9mm Beretta pistols. The operatives also seized seven magazines, which included four AK-47 magazines and three M16 magazines.