Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have recovered a decomposed body during a raid on kidnappers’ hideouts in Okuku and Ndegwu communities in Owerri-West Local Government Area. The operation, which took place on November 5, 2025, is part of ongoing efforts by the police to dismantle criminal networks responsible for kidnappings in the state.
According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, the raid was conducted by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit in collaboration with local vigilante groups. The intelligence driven operation, coordinated by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, targeted multiple hideouts known to be used by kidnappers in the area.
During the operation, officers discovered a decomposed corpse in one of the hideouts, which was located in an abandoned livestock farm deep within the Okuku Agwa forest. The scene was immediately cordoned off, and the body was carefully evacuated and transported to the morgue for further forensic examination.
Okoye confirmed that samples have been collected by the Command’s Forensic Unit and sent for DNA analysis to determine whether the remains belong to Barrister Jeffery Ucheagwu of Ihembosi. Barrister Ucheagwu was abducted on October 14, 2025, at Site and Services, Umuguma, in Owerri-West LGA. Authorities are investigating whether the recovered body is connected to his abduction.
The police have placed the dislodged hideouts under 24 hour surveillance to prevent the kidnappers from regrouping and to support ongoing intelligence gathering on their operations. Okoye emphasized that the Command is committed to apprehending all members of the gang responsible for the abduction and to rescuing Barrister Ucheagwu, if he is still alive.
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Aboki Danjuma, commended the operatives for their professionalism and courage during the operation. He reiterated the Command’s determination to dismantle criminal networks and ensure the safety and security of all residents of Imo State.
CP Danjuma also appealed to the public to remain calm and law-abiding. He urged citizens to cooperate with the police by providing timely and credible information that could aid ongoing investigations and help prevent further criminal activity.
This operation is part of a broader initiative by the Imo State Police Command to address the increasing cases of kidnapping and violent crime in the region. By combining intelligence led raids with local community support, authorities aim to disrupt criminal networks and restore a sense of safety for residents in vulnerable areas.
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