Police arrest five suspects, recover bus, 450 motorcycles in Imo

By Emmanuel Iheaka | Owerri

The Imo State Police Command has arrested five suspected armed robbers and recovered a bus, 450 motorcycles, and over ₦6 million in cash in a major crackdown on criminal activities in the state.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, said the operation followed credible intelligence and was carried out by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa.

According to the statement, the operation led to the recovery of one snatched shuttle bus, four hundred and fifty suspected stolen motorcycles, ₦6,495,900 in cash, several vehicle plate numbers, and other incriminating items, including criminal charms.

The police also revealed that the suspects allegedly attempted to bribe the operatives with ₦5 million, an offer which was rejected in line with the Command’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption.

The case began on April 6, 2026, after a distress call from Chimeze Christian of Urata, Owerri North LGA, owner of Wonder Shuttle, who reported that his driver, Paul Ejike Ohaka, had gone missing with a bus registered KPU 26 XA.

The driver was later found unconscious at Irete along the Onitsha Road and was rushed to Vadan Hospital, New Owerri, where he is receiving treatment.

Acting on the report, police operatives traced the stolen vehicle to a workshop in Orlu, where it was allegedly being repainted to conceal its identity. Two suspects, Olagoke Jelili and Godday Ezike, were arrested at the scene.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Okechukwu Prince and Raymond Odinaka, who allegedly confessed to working under a fleeing suspect identified as Osita Chigbo, also known as “Barr. Oguta.” Another suspect, Paul Martins Anya, was arrested as a suspected receiver of stolen vehicles.

A search of the premises reportedly uncovered 13 motorcycles, while follow-up operations led to additional recoveries, bringing the total to 450 suspected stolen motorcycles.

The police said the suspects could not provide proof of ownership for the motorcycles and allegedly attempted to move them to nearby bush paths to avoid detection before being intercepted by operatives acting on intelligence.

Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are underway to apprehend other members of the syndicate.