Imo Police Command Vows To Dismantle Syndicates
In what many have described as a belated response to several media reports about the frightening activities of kidnappers suspected to be Fulani herdsmen terrorizing residents of Avu, Obinze, Ihiagwa and other neighboring communities, the Imo State Police Command and their military counterparts have launched what they referred to as “a major operation to stamp our kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state”.
The Spokesperson of the Imo State Police Command, ASP, Okoye Henry, in a release he issued dated September, 12, 2024, said, “the Imo State Police Command, in close collaboration with the military, has launched a specialized operation to dismantle kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent criminal syndicates that have been terrorizing residents in the Obinze, Ihiagwa, Avu, Federal University of Technology (FUTO) axis in Owerri and other areas in the State. This joint effort underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our communities. The operation will leverage the combined expertise and resources of both agencies to bring those responsible for these criminal acts to justice.
The PPROP, further stated that, “recent reports of increased kidnapping incidents in these areas have raised significant concern among residents and students. In response, the Imo State Police Command has deployed a team of highly trained personnel to conduct focused operations aimed at neutralizing the threat posed by these criminal elements. Our objective is to enhance the peace and security of the State and to guarantee that educational institutions, including FUTO, remain safe environments for learning.
The Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, solicits the maximum cooperation of the general public in this effort and urges residents to report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station promptly or via 0803 477 3600. By working together, we can enhance our efforts to combat these criminal elements effectively.
The Command, alongside our military partners, remains committed to upholding law and order and will continue to provide updates on the progress of the operation as they become available.
Some concerned Imolites who commented on the latest development, expressed pessimism about the release issued by the Police on the ground that it may be a public relation stunt aimed at giving residents of the area false hope and at the same time present the police and their military counterparts as being sensitive and responsive to the pitiable plight of the people, especially the traumatized residents of the aforementioned affected communities.
However, others who expressed contrary opinion, commended the police for belatedly rising up to the occasion. They urged the police and their military partners to prove the pessimists wrong by addressing the menace of kidnappers and other social deviants that make a living by unleashing mayhem on law abiding citizens decisively without minding whose ox is gored.
Some of them who also spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “the fact that most residents of the area are already insinuating that the kidnappers are working hand in gloves with some top police and military personnel who shield them from the long arms of the law is enough reason for the Imo State Police Command, the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, and other security agencies in the state to do all they can to address the issue squarely with a view to exonerating themselves, their organization and also redeem their dented image.
This, they said is very necessary because the fact that these nefarious activities are perpetrated in their vicinity, despite the numerous stop and search checkpoints raises many unanswered question that speak volume.
