The Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested five suspected kidnappers and recovered two human dead bodies from the Okohia forest during a raid on the suspected hideout of kidnappers in the state.

The raid was led by the state Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, with over 150 men and officers of the command, alongside 60 members of Nigeria Hunters Association and Imo State Vigilante Services.

The police spokesman in the state, Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Owerri.

“Operatives of the Imo State Police Command Special Tactical Unit led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma in synergy with some local hunters stormed a suspected kidnapper’s hideout in a forest between Avu and Ihiagwa, on 29/01/2024 and arrested of 5 suspected kidnappers namely; Muazu Awuta, 30 ‘m’ yrs, Abdullahi Abubakar, ‘m’ 32yrs, Ozeru Sabo ‘m’ 25yrs, Saddam Suleiman, ‘m’ 27yrs, Bashir Yahaya, ‘m’, 28yrs all of Jau LGA of Jigawa State,” the spokesman stated.

He added that the five persons have been arrested and investigations will begin immediately to unravel the unfortunate incident.

“The suspects are currently undergoing investigation and have provided useful information to the Police that will lead to the arrest of other syndicates at large,” he said.

“On combing the forest, two decomposing unidentified corpses suspected to be kidnapped victims and other items like telephones, wristwatches, shoes, and slippers were recovered. The command intends to carry out further DNA confirmatory tests to ascertain the identity of the deceased. Five operational motorcycles of the suspected kidnappers were also recovered.”

According to him, intense combing of the forest and other nooks and crannies of the state is ongoing to stamp out all forms of crime and criminality.