The police in Imo State have acknowledged the unwavering support of Governor Hope Uzodimma in the fight against insecurity in the state.
It , however, warned some unscrupulous people against the spread of falsehood capable of igniting ethnic and religious tensions in the country.
The police condemned a recent viral video where some miscreants and political jobbers alleged that the fulani were responsible for the crimes being committed in the state.
The statement reads:
The Imo State Police Command is aware of a viral video in Igbo language circulating on social media, made by a yet-to-be-identified individual, in which unverified claims were made against the Executive Governor of Imo State concerning the security situation in the state. The Command finds it necessary to set the records straight and present the public with verified facts on the sustained and coordinated efforts being made to tackle insecurity and protect lives and property.
In synergy with sister security agencies, the Imo State Police Command has continued to adopt both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in combating crime. With the consistent and strategic support of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, security operations have been intensified in Orsu, Ngor‑Okpala, Oguta, Okigwe, Owerri West, Mbaitoli, Njaba, Mbano, Mbaise axis, Orlu, Ideato, Avu, and Obinze other areas in Imo State.
These operations have yielded significant results, including the dismantling of criminal hideouts and the arrest of over 5,000 suspects involved in various crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, child trafficking, organ harvesting, receiving stolen property, unlawful possession of firearms, and terrorism.
Through intelligence-led operations, the Command in synergy with other security agencies and local vigilantes has rescued over 200 kidnapped victims, including women and children; recovered more than 200 stolen vehicles traced within and outside the state; and seized over 1,358 arms and more than 3,000 rounds of live ammunition. In addition, the Police successfully rescued over 500 stolen children, many of whom have been reunited with their families.
Among the recovered arms are General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, pistols, as well as locally fabricated short and long-barrel firearms. Several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were also recovered during raids on terrorist camps and criminal hideouts.
These achievements have been recorded since 2020, when His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, assumed office and began providing strategic leadership and unwavering support to the security architecture of Imo State.
It is on record that the peace and security situation in Imo State has drastically improved compared to what it was a few years ago. This steady progress is largely due to the unrelenting support and leadership of His Excellency Dist. Senator Hope Uzodinma, who has remained committed to empowering security agencies and prioritizing the safety of Imolites.
The Governor has donated over 30 brand-new patrol vehicles and 11 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the Police, in addition to facilitating the refurbishment of more than 28 previously unserviceable patrol vehicles, thereby restoring them to full operational capacity. He also supported the renovation of police divisions in Agwa, Obowo, Isiala Mbano, and Orsu—facilities that were previously attacked and vandalized by hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN—with several other divisions currently undergoing similar upgrades.
In addition to these, His Excellency has supported various proactive non-kinetic crime prevention initiatives, including state-wide campaigns against terrorism, cultism, drug abuse, and other vices that lure young people into criminal activities. These campaigns have significantly improved public enlightenment and community engagement, contributing to better crime reporting and early warning across communities.
His Excellency has also consistently provided financial and moral support to the families of deceased and injured police officers and personnel of other security agencies who have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. This humane gesture has served as a major morale booster to serving personnel, reinforcing their dedication and courage in the fight against crime.
It is important to stress that crime has no ethnic, religious, or regional identity. The attempt to label kidnapping or other crimes as the exclusive acts of one group—such as Fulani herdsmen, as falsely suggested in the viral video—is misleading and dangerous. The Command has apprehended suspects from diverse backgrounds, including members of organized syndicates, cult groups, and secessionist networks. Criminality is a matter of choice, not tribe or tongue.
We therefore caution against the politicization or ethnicization of security issues. Stereotyping only hinders collective efforts to keep our communities safe. The Command remains resolute in arresting and prosecuting all offenders—irrespective of their background—in line with the law.
The Command calls on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organizations, parents, market unions, and other stakeholders to redouble their efforts in sensitizing the public to support security agencies and government authorities. Security is a shared civic responsibility, and together, we can foster lasting peace in our communities.
We urge the general public to remain vigilant, avoid spreading false narratives, and continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies. With sustained government support and citizens’ partnership, we will build a safer, more united Imo State for all.
The Imo State Police Command remains fully committed to its constitutional duty to protect lives and property and to serve all Imolites with courage, fairness, and professionalism.
DSP Okoye Henry Police Public Relations Officer Imo State Command
