Four suspects were taken into custody by Imo State Police Command officers during a security operation in the state’s Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area’s woodlands.
Henry Okoye, the command’s spokesperson, revealed this in a statement sent to reporters on Thursday.
According to Okoye, local vigilantes and police from the Ohaji Divisional Headquarters, under the direction of Divisional Police Officer CSP Mathias Abah, carried out the operation.
He claims that as part of continuous proactive efforts to combat criminal activity and enhance local security, the agents searched forested areas in Assa, Ohuba, Adapalm Plantation, and other towns.
He clarified that the activity was in accordance with a mandate issued by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, requiring ongoing forest-clearing activities throughout the state to improve property and human safety.
As stated by Okoye, “As part of ongoing proactive security measures directed by the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Bosso, operatives of the Ohaji Divisional Headquarters, led by the DPO, in collaboration with local vigilantes, conducted bush-combing and clearance operations across forested areas within Assa, Ohuba, Ada Palm Plantation, and adjoining communities in Ohaji on June 10, 2026.”
“In order to prevent criminal elements from finding safe havens and to maintain peace and security in the area, the operation involved a thorough combing of identified locations.” Four male suspects were detained during the exercise and are being questioned while the investigation is ongoing.
Just two weeks have passed since 24 people were taken into custody during a massive forest-clearing operation in Owerri West Local Government Area.
The culprits were apprehended on May 25 after more than 250 police officers and vigilantes conducted a thorough combing operation through dense forests in the towns of Eziobodo, Ihiagwa, and Okolochi under the direction of Area Commander, Owerri Urban, ACP Michael Abattam.
Residents of neighboring communities and Eziobodo, the host community of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, have frequently voiced worries about an increase in kidnapping and attacks that they believe are being carried out by armed criminals operating out of surrounding woodlands.
Following the death of Chimuanya Eke, who was allegedly shot while en route to get medication for his child, the worries grew. His wife and five children were left behind when he passed away at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Owerri.
Residents of Eziobodo and the surrounding communities protested the occurrence, demanding that the state administration and security forces bolster security and drive out criminal groups.
