Police Recover 20 Pump-Action Guns, 14 AK-47 Rifles in Imo During Six-Month Crime Crackdown
In a sweeping anti-crime operation that spanned six months, the Imo State Police Command have announced the arrest of 2,785 suspects and the recovery of a significant cache of weapons, including 20 pump-action guns and 14 AK-47 rifles.
The announcement, made on Friday, July 19, 2025, reflects what the police described as an aggressive and sustained campaign against violent crime across the state.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, the operations targeted a wide array of criminal activities, ranging from kidnapping and armed robbery to child trafficking, cultism, and terrorism. The crackdown also led to the rescue of 58 kidnapped victims and 42 trafficked children, a development hailed as a major breakthrough in the state’s fight against insecurity.
The weapons recovered were not only limited to pump-action and AK-47 rifles. The police also seized two General-Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), four fabricated rocket launchers, seven gas-cylinder bombs, multiple hand grenades, and an undisclosed number of live ammunition. In addition, officers recovered locally made explosives, criminal charms, and communication devices suspected to have been used for coordinating criminal operations.
While briefing the media, DSP Okoye emphasized that the operations were both intelligence-driven and community-supported. He credited the success of the campaign to renewed synergy between law enforcement and local residents, noting that several arrests were made possible through actionable tips provided by members of the public.
The police also linked many of the weapons and suspects to hideouts belonging to the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). These hideouts, which were dismantled during the operations, reportedly served as bases for carrying out coordinated attacks on civilians and security formations across the state.
Reacting to the development, civil society groups and community leaders have praised the police for what they described as a rare show of operational capacity and strategic planning. However, some have called for greater transparency and a commitment to due process in handling the large number of suspects now in custody.
The police command assured the public that efforts are ongoing to consolidate the gains made so far and to prevent the resurgence of criminal elements. DSP Okoye reiterated the command’s call for continued public cooperation, stressing that long-term security could only be achieved through shared vigilance and trust between communities and the police.
The latest announcement reinforces the Imo State government’s resolve to tackle insecurity through comprehensive and collaborative measures, even as residents express cautious optimism about the apparent improvement in safety across key areas of the state.
