Five Arrested, 450 Motorcycles Seized as Imo Police Smash Armed Robbery Network

The Imo State Police Command has dismantled an armed robbery syndicate specializing in the theft of motorcycles and vehicles, as well as attempted murder, authorities said on Sunday.

Five suspects have been arrested for their alleged roles in the criminal network, according to police spokesperson Henry Okoye, who briefed journalists at the command headquarters in Owerri.

Okoye disclosed that the suspects attempted to bribe police operatives with ₦5 million to avoid arrest, but the offer was rejected.

The breakthrough came following investigations by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa. Police recovered one snatched shuttle bus, 450 motorcycles, ₦6,495,900 in cash, several vehicle license plates, and other incriminating items, including suspected criminal charms.

The case began when a complainant, Chimeze Christian of Urata in Owerri North Local Government Area, reported that his driver, Paul Ohaka, had failed to return with a shuttle bus bearing registration number KPU 26 XA. The driver was later found abandoned and unconscious along the Onitsha Road axis in Irete, with the vehicle forcibly taken by unknown assailants. He is currently receiving medical treatment at Vadan Hospital in New Owerri.

Police operatives traced the missing vehicle to a location where it was about to be repainted, apparently to conceal its identity. Two suspects, Olagoke Jelili and Godday Ezike, were arrested at the scene.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Okechukwu Prince and Raymond Odinaka, who confessed to acting on instructions from a fleeing suspect identified as Osita Chigbo, also known as “Barr. Oguta.” A suspected receiver of stolen vehicles, Paul Martins Anya, was also taken into custody.

A search of the premises yielded 13 suspected stolen motorcycles, and follow-up operations increased the total recovery to 450 motorcycles. The suspects could not provide valid proof of ownership for the vehicles within the investigation period.

Okoye said the syndicate had attempted to move the motorcycles to nearby bush paths to evade detection, but operatives intercepted the move based on credible intelligence.

Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, has ordered thorough investigation and prosecution of all suspects in line with the law. The command thanked the public for their cooperation and urged continued sharing of timely and credible information.