The Imo state police command has arrested four suspects allegedly involved in cultism and gangsterism.
Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters, Owerri, the Imo state capital on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, said the suspects had been terrorizing the residents of Mbaitoli LGA and other areas in the state.
He listed their names as Chinaemerem Ozoemelam Miracle, male, a.k.a Gadafi of Umuokoto in Nekede Owerri West LGA, Chidera Nnajiofor, male, of Umuokoto in same Nekede, Obinna Sopuruchi Simon, male from Ama Ohuru Nguru in Aboh-Mbaise LGA and Alloysius Fabian, male of Umuegem Akabo in Ikeduru LGA.
Danjuma who spoke through his Spokesman, Henry Okoye, said that the suspects on sighting the operatives of the police opened fire on them but were subdued by the superior firepower of the gallant operatives.
He said, “In furtherance of Imo State Police Command’s zeal to flush out criminally minded elements from the State, today, the 14th day of February , 2024, the operatives of the Command’s Anti-Vice Squad acting on credible intelligence stormed the criminal hideout of a notorious Vikings Confraternity Cult syndicate at Mbeiri, in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State and arrested four suspected cultists who have been terrorizing the residents of Mbaitoli and other areas in the State.
“The suspects opened fire on sighting Police operatives but were subdued by the superior firepower of the gallant operatives. In the process, one of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries on his leg, he was arrested together with his cohorts and rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.
“Two locally made revolver shotguns, five rounds of live cartridges, military camouflage shorts, and face masks were recovered from the suspects.
“On interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Vikings confraternity and provided useful information to the Police. Efforts are on top gear to arrest other suspects at large particularly the manufacturers of the locally made guns.
“The suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of a comprehensive investigation.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma has called on well-meaning residents of Imo State to assist the Police in the fight against cultism and other violent crimes in the State.
He further implored parents and guardians to caution their wards against indulging in any form of cultism or criminal activities, reaffirming the command’s unwavering commitment to providing maximum safety and security for all and sundry in the State.