Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command, in synergy with operatives of Egbema Police Division, raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Obokofia in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area on 30th June, 2026.
After the raid, the command rescued three kidnapped victims unharmed and arresting seven suspected members of the gang. Other members of the syndicate fled the scene and are currently being trailed.
DrumAfricanews reports that the move by police was necessitated by the abduction of five passengers from a commuter bus along Obokofia Road in Egbema and the subsequent kidnapping of a young man in New Owerri on 27th June, 2026.
DSP Henry Okoye, PPRO Imo State Command, said that the Imo State Police Command in reaction ,launched a coordinated intelligence-led operation to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The suspects are Eric John, alias “Yahoo Welder,” (30), of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, resident in Obokofia, Ohaji/Egbema LGA; Light Chukwuma (18); Obinna Osuamma (18); Sylvester Nnadike (60); Tochukwu Precious (22); Destiny Albert (22); and Caroline Oziomele (25), all of Obokofia, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.
Items recovered during the operation include one AK-47 rifle, two locally made double-barrel guns, two locally made pistols, one blue Toyota Highlander SUV without a registration number, one ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz GLK Jeep belonging to one of the rescued victims, three Q-Link motorcycles, one Sumec generator set, and eight branded cult caps.
Investigation revealed that one of the rescued victims identified one of the arrested suspects, Eric John, alias “Yahoo Welder,” as a member of the gang responsible for his abduction.
The investigation further revealed that the gang had collected ₦5 million from the victim’s relatives and subsequently demanded an additional ₦50 million ransom before the victim was rescued during the Police operation.
