Imo police reject N5m bribe and arrest armed robbery suspects, recovering stolen bus, 450 motorcycles, and N6.4m cash in major operation
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have rejected a N5 million bribe allegedly offered by members of an armed robbery syndicate during a coordinated operation that led to the recovery of a stolen bus, 450 motorcycles, and N6.4 million in cash.
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The incident was confirmed on Sunday by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, who said the breakthrough followed an intelligence-led operation targeting armed robbery, vehicle snatching, and attempted murder across the state.
DSP Okoye said the operation was carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit under the supervision of ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, resulting in multiple arrests and the disruption of a suspected criminal network operating within the state.
According to him, the investigation began on April 6 after a commercial shuttle bus driver, identified as Mr Paul Ohaka, was declared missing following his departure for work a day earlier.
The victim was later found unconscious at Irete along the Onitsha Road axis after being attacked by suspected assailants who stole his vehicle and fled the scene.
He was immediately rushed to a hospital where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
Police detectives reportedly traced the stolen vehicle to a workshop in Orlu, where it was allegedly being prepared for repainting in an attempt to conceal its identity.
During the operation, officers arrested two suspects identified as Olagoke Jelili and Godday Ezike, whose interrogation led to the arrest of three additional members of the gang.
DSP Okoye said the suspects attempted to offer a N5 million bribe to secure their release, but the operatives rejected the offer in line with the command’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
He added that a significant cache of exhibits, including the stolen bus, 450 motorcycles, N6.4 million cash, multiple number plates, and suspected charms, were recovered from various hideouts linked to the syndicate.
The police spokesperson noted that the suspects failed to provide valid documentation of ownership for the recovered motorcycles, raising further suspicion about the scale of the operation.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to dismantle the wider network connected to the criminal activities.
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The case has been described by the Command as a major success in its ongoing crackdown on organised crime in the state.
