The Imo State Police Command has apprehended three suspected IPOB members and recovered significant weapons and cash following a raid on an alleged terror hideout in Okigwe

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Imo State Police Command has announced the successful arrest of three suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) following an intelligence-led raid on an alleged terror hideout located on Cameron Street, Ubahu, in the Okigwe Local Government Area of the state.

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The operation, conducted in the early hours of Thursday, April 17, 2025, involved the command’s tactical teams working in collaboration with local vigilante groups.

Acting on credible intelligence, the security forces engaged in a gun battle at the hideout. While two suspects reportedly escaped into the surrounding bushes, three others were successfully apprehended.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Onyekaba Ikenna Innocent (21), Ugwu Ikenna (31), and Ofor Kasarachi (37).

The announcement of this significant operation and the subsequent arrests was made by the Imo State Police Command, reiterating their unwavering commitment to combating suspected criminal elements operating within the state.

The successful raid marks a significant advancement in the ongoing efforts to maintain law and order and address persistent security challenges in the Okigwe Local Government Area and across Imo State.

“The recovered cash, based on preliminary investigations, is believed to have been contributed by IPOB members to finance acts of terrorism,” stated Imo State Police Command Spokesperson, Henry Okoye.

Further details regarding the ongoing investigation and a comprehensive list of recovered items were disclosed by the Spokesperson of the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, during a parade of the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Owerri on Friday.

According to Okoye, the operation resulted in the recovery of substantial weapons and materials allegedly linked to terrorist activities.

The items recovered include: one AK-47 rifle, two pump-action shotguns, eighteen live cartridges, multiple mobile devices and laptops, and a significant sum of ₦10.3 million in cash.

“The recovered cash, based on preliminary investigations, is believed to have been contributed by IPOB members to finance acts of terrorism,” stated Okoye.

He further emphasized that the command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma, remains steadfast in its commitment to sustaining the ongoing crackdown on criminal elements that pose a threat to public safety and security within Imo State.

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As the Easter season approaches, Okoye reassured the residents of Imo State that the police command has intensified patrols, surveillance operations, and checkpoints in close coordination with other security agencies to ensure a safe and peaceful celebration for all.