Imo Police busts terrorists, armed robbery hideouts, baby factory syndicates

By Jude Onyenedogha

Imo State Police Command says its operatives have busted a terrorists, as well as armed robbery hideouts across the state and also a baby factory syndicates.

This was contained in a press statement by the spokesman of the Command, Henry Okoye and made available to The Statesman, in Owerri yesterday.

The statement read: “Acting on technical intelligence, Operatives of the command on 30/06/2024 at about 2100hrs, stormed the criminal hideout of one Chidera Amadi ‘f’ aged 19yrs at Umuapu in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Imo State, while in search of notorious terrorists nicknamed Aluta and Rati, who were involved in several cases of armed robbery, kidnapping, murder and vandalization of pipelines within Ohaji/Egbema LGA.

“The hoodlums took to their heels on sighting the Police but after being given a hot chase, Tochukwu Igwe, Prosper Moses, Ezekwe Prosper, Dikeocha Chima, and Igwe Onyekachi were arrested.

“However, on searching the hideout, two (2) locally fabricated pistols, 34 live cartridges, large quantities of assorted types of hard drugs, and a cash sum of Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N350,000.00) were recovered.

“Similarly, the command’s tactical team during an intelligence-led raid on a suspected criminal hideout on 27/06/2024, at Ofuzor Afor Egbu in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, apprehended one Stanley Joseph Onyebuchi ‘m’ aged 45yrs, Ngozi Joseph ‘m’ aged 35yrs, Ihegeme Williams ‘m’ aged  27yrs, Micheal Ifeanyi ‘m’ aged 32yrs and Chidera Gerald ‘m’ aged 27yrs.

“One (1) Barrette Pistol and one (1) Toyota Sienna with Reg. No. FST 39 GY and Nine (9) bags of Indian Hemp were recovered from the suspects.

The suspects have made useful statements and the investigation is still on”.

On the busting of baby factory syndicates, the statement read “Painstaking investigation and intelligence-led operation by Operatives of Shell Camp Divisional headquarters led to the arrested of a couple, Mr. Chukwudinma and Mrs. Comfort Umunnakwe, operating a baby factory at, World Bank, Owerri, in the guise of running an Orphanage Home. Eight pregnant teenagers were rescued at the orphanage home.

“The suspects lure young pregnant girls between the ages of 17 and 28 to Comfort Orphanage Home, World Bank Owerri, where they feed them only once a day and when they put to bed, the child will be forcefully taken away from the mother and be sold for either 400 or 500 thousand Naira depending on the gender of the child.

“On interrogation, the suspects confessed to being in the criminal business for over 12 years. One of the rescued victims simply identified as Ijeoma revealed that upon luring her into the said orphanage home, the suspect collected her phones and coaxed her into signing a document to give away her child upon delivery for the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00).

“The investigation is ongoing. Efforts are in progress to reunite the victims with their families”.

Meanwhile, according to the press statement, following a tip-off information on 01/07/2014, that armed robbers were camping at No. 10, Nekede Road along Zaga Suite, where they rob and rape unsuspecting members of the public who ply the route at late hours.

“Operatives of the Command swiftly moved to the scene and arrested the following suspects: –

i. Yaknan Kona Butrim ‘m’ aged 45yrs

ii. Butko Fanap ‘m’ aged 25yrs.

iii. Kargwak James ‘m’ aged 20yrs.

iv. Nambur Emmanuel ‘m’ aged 18yrs.

v. Jinam Tyeru ‘m’ aged 27yrs.

vi. Miri Nanlir ‘m’ aged 23yrs.

vii. Precious Solomon ‘f’ 24yrs.

viii. Peace Dauda ‘m’ aged 23yrs; all of Lantan LGA, Plateau State.

“The suspects were searched on the spot and a bag containing one locally made single barrel short gun was recovered from them. The investigation is ongoin