Police Bust Suspected Terror Cell In Imo, Arrest 17 Nationwide

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has recorded significant breakthroughs in its ongoing nationwide operations against terrorism and violent crimes, including the dismantling of a suspected terrorist network in Imo State and the arrest of 17 suspects linked to various criminal activities across the country.

According to Ireporter Online, the coordinated operations, conducted within the last 24 hours, resulted in the arrest of suspects connected to alleged terrorism, cultism, murder, infanticide, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and railway vandalism in five states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Force also recovered firearms, live ammunition, suspected terrorist items, military and police uniforms, and a stolen vehicle during the operations.

One of the major operations was carried out in Imo State, where operatives of the Police Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) raided a suspected terrorist hideout in Eziudo, Ezinihite Mbaise Local Government Area. Four armed suspects were arrested during the raid.

Security operatives recovered three pump-action guns, 30 live cartridges, Biafran flags, military and police uniforms, recruitment forms, charms, and photographs believed to be linked to the group’s activities. The police stated that the suspects allegedly confessed to participating in recruitment activities and involvement in several attacks within Imo State.

In a separate operation in Owerri, five suspected cult members, including 23-year-old Opara Ikechi, were arrested at Bishop’s Court. Police recovered four locally made pistols, 31 rounds of live ammunition, a dagger, and a suspected confraternity scarf. The suspects are currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

In Benue State, detectives arrested Nancy Sunday over allegations that she killed her one-month-old stepdaughter while the child’s mother was away. Police said the infant’s body was evacuated to the Teaching Hospital Morgue in Aliade for an autopsy, while the SCID in Makurdi has commenced a full investigation into the incident.

In Lagos State, police arrested Damilare Oladuni Orija for allegedly stabbing a 19-year-old identified as Jide to death during an altercation in the Agboyi area of Alapere-Ketu. The victim’s body has been deposited in a public morgue, while the case has been transferred to the SCID in Panti for further investigation.

In Ebonyi State, 22-year-old Ezekiel Francis Akam, who is wanted in connection with an armed robbery incident that occurred in December 2025, was arrested after intelligence provided by local vigilantes led police to his hideout in Oriuzor, Ezza North Local Government Area. The suspect, who allegedly attempted to escape, sustained injuries and was taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki for treatment before interrogation. A battle axe was recovered from his residence.

In Akwa Ibom State, police apprehended 33-year-old Divine Effiong Udo after responding to reports of gunfire in Ikot Obong Otor village. Officers recovered a single-barrel gun and two expended cartridges from the suspect, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the alleged gang.

In the Federal Capital Territory, police recovered an abandoned Peugeot 406 with registration number GWA 124 GP from the basement of 21st Mall in Gwarinpa after it remained unclaimed for over two weeks. Investigators are working to establish the rightful ownership of the vehicle.

Also in Abuja, police arrested two suspects, identified as Ikoh Precious and Fabian Agaar, over the alleged vandalism of critical railway infrastructure. The suspects were accused of ignoring repeated warnings from residents, forcing an approaching train to make an emergency stop, and allegedly inciting members of the public following the incident.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at tackling terrorism, violent crime, and other criminal activities across the country.