Jan. 30, 2024

The Police Command in Imo has discovered three decomposing unidentified corpses suspected to be kidnap victims at a forest in Ihiagwa and Avu communities in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Henry Okoye, confirmed the discovery to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Owerri.

A viral video on social media had showed about four decomposing bodies reportedly uncovered in the forest by Imo hunters and forest guards.

Okoye said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aboki Danjuma, had directed a tactical team to thoroughly search all the bushes and forests in the area to see if there were more kidnappers and dead bodies.

“Operatives of Imo State Police Command Special Tactical Squad, led by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aboki Danjuma, raided a forest along Avu-Ihiagwa communities, suspected to be kidnappers hideout.

“In the process, five suspected kidnappers were arrested, while three decomposing unidentified corpses suspected to be kidnap victims were recovered.

“The command intends to carry out further DNA confirmatory test to ascertain the identities of the victims,* Okoye stated.

According to him, intense combing of the forest and other nook and crannies in the state is ongoing with the aim of stamping out all forms of crime and criminality.

He advised members of the public to avail police sensitive information that could aid them to arrest criminals, as well as secure and safeguard the state.

Okoye urged the public to either go to their closest Divisional Police Officer (DPO), the Area Commanders or Commanders of the Tactical Teams.

He also availed the following numbers: command room – 08034773600; and the Complaints Response Unit- 07067419738, for emergencies. (NAN)