By Iliyasu Samari
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command, have announced that they have smashed a suspected kidnapping and organ trafficking syndicate terrorizing residents of the state.
The command made the disclosure through a statement issued weekend by Imo Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Henry Okoye, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police in charge of the state, CP Aboki Danjuma.
Okoye disclosed that the command’s operatives dismantled the syndicate in the Douglass area of Imo State while they were attempting to whisk away one of their hapless victims.
Reading the command’s statement while parading suspects arrested for various offences at the Command headquarters in Owerri, Okoye revealed that one suspect, Justin Emmanuel was apprehended.
His words, “During the operation, one suspect, Justine Emmanuel, a 38-year-old male from Amaimo in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State, was arrested, and a 19-year-old young lady, whose name is withheld for privacy, was rescued.”
According to him, the arrest was as a result of the swift response of vigilant operatives on visibility patrol, who observed the syndicate in a blue and white bus forcefully taking the young girl to an undisclosed location where they intended to kill her and harvest her organs.
“During the chase, the victim managed to jump from the bus and was immediately rescued. The police engaged in a hot pursuit, leading to the abandonment of the vehicle and the arrest of one suspect, while others escaped into the nearby bush.
“The Command is conducting further investigations to identify additional members of the syndicate and assess the full extent of their criminal activities. This successful rescue underscores the Imo State Police Command’s commitment to combating violent crime and ensuring community safety.
“The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Further updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds,” the PPRO added.
ASP Okoye also confirmed that operatives of the Owerri Urban Area Command have arrested Mrs. Blessing Emmanuel, a secondary school teacher, for allegedly dehumanizing her 12-year-old stepdaughter, Amarachi Emmanuel.
He stated that the female teacher was arrested last Tuesday after a complaint was filed by Owerri-based activist journalist, Comrade Chidiebube Okeoma at the Owerri Area Command headquarters and disturbing details of the alleged abuse prompted immediate action from law enforcement agents.
When she was interviewed, Mrs. Emmanuel admitted to the offence, raising serious concerns about the treatment of minors in her care as a school teacher.