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The good people of Imo State would have respite from crime and live in more peaceful condition with the renewed effort of the Nigerian police  culminating to crime reduction across the state. Imo State new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Frederick Lakanu, says the command had in the last 21 days of his tenure arrested about 49 hoodlums that are terrorizing the state, adding that the sum of N47 million in cash dispossessed from owners were recovered. The Police Commissioner declared his determination to make the 27 local government councils of the state safe even as he assured residents he has established a crack team of officers to reduce all forms of criminality and safeguard life and property in the state.

Speaking while narrating his activities in the first three weeks of his posting to the State, to newsmen, the CP disclosed that the offences for which the suspects were being held range from armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, child trafficking, unlawful possession of firearms to car theft. He added that while 17 suspects were nabbed for armed robbery, nine were held for kidnapping, eight for cultism, 14 for child trafficking and one each held for unlawful possession of firearm and car theft.

According to the CP, five arms of various capacities, seven stolen vehicles and eight kidnap victims were recovered and rescued respectively by his team, adding that the feats were achieved through the cooperation of members of the public who volunteered useful information. His words: “On September 21, following a tip–off, my men arrested hoodlums that allegedly robbed one Prince Francis Ogbuji of Ukoromi Filling Station, Amakohia, Owerri.”

He added that suspects apprehended in the raid included, Ifeanyi Henry Anyaegbu (36) of Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Council of Imo State; Ogadi Nwaka, (32) of Awo- Mbieri, Mbaitoli Local Council of the state; Chukwuemeka Anyanwu, (35) from Amorji, Isiala Ngwa , Abia State; Ede Ogechukwu Samuel (26), of Enugu State. “One Toyota Carina with registration number SPR- 872- PB, allegedly used for the robbery and one Nissan Wagon with registration number FST -897- DY were recovered,” the commissioner said, adding that same day a three- man syndicate of suspected armed robbers were also arrested at Amy Lodge, Ike Road, Okigwe, Imo State.

CP Lakanu declared that the suspects including Ernest Nwankwo, Chinedu Agu and Ifeanyi Alago, who were armed with one locally made double barrel short gun and 10 live cartridges, would be charged to court soon. Other breakthroughs made by the Imo State Police Command, the CP noted, include the arrest of an eight –man armed robbery gang, arrest of two suspected cult members of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, namely Friday Umeibe of Ohafia, Abia State and Samuel Eke also from Ohafia and the arrest of one suspected kidnapper, Franklin Chibuike (21), in Umuezeala Nzerem, Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Council while armed with two locally made double barrel pistols.

He insisted that efforts are still being made by him and his men to further apprehend criminals and curb criminal activities in the state. He added that he would not rest on his oars until the state is free of crime and safe for all residents.