Spokesperson for Imo State police command, DSP Henry Okoye, who confirmed the development in a statement yesterday, said the joint security forces, comprising police, army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the forest guards, vigilantes, among others commenced the exercise on Monday.
According to him, the move was to apprehend the bandits responsible for such incessant kidnap and abduction cases, regretting that the victims were subjected to inhuman treatments, dumping them in the bushes, demanding ransom to free their captives.
He said the exercise commenced from the forested areas in the state such as Avu, Irete, Ihiagwa, and Obinze autonomous communities in Owerri West Local Council and some bushes in Ngor Okpala Local Council.
He urged the residents who may experience the heavy presence of security agencies to cooperate in fishing out the criminals hiding in the forests.
“The Imo State Police Command, in synergy with other security agencies, the forest guard, and local vigilantes, is currently conducting an intensive operation to comb the forested areas surrounding Avu, Irete, Ihiagwa, and Obinze autonomous communities in Owerri West LGA, as well as parts of Ngor Okpala LGA.
“This operation aims to completely flush out criminal syndicates threatening the peace and security of the state.”
We urge all residents to support and cooperate with security agencies as we work together to keep Imo State safe,” he said.
Last week, some youths were arrested in the forests around Irete, Owerri West local council during a sudden bush patrol exercise led by the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma. Some arms and ammunition were recovered.
Also, there are reported cases of students and others persons who are carried in commercial motorcycles, but the suspected criminal ridders diverted to the bushes, demanding various ransom from them.
