The Imo State Police Command has successfully dismantled a phone-theft syndicate and arrested multiple suspects involved in armed robbery and cult-related activities in Owerri.

Following a complaint by a phone dealer whose shop in Eziobodo was burgled on 11th July 2025, operatives of the Anti-Vice Unit arrested a suspect in possession of four brand-new stolen phones. Investigations led to the arrest of the principal burglar and another accomplice who specialized in altering phone IMEI numbers to evade tracking.

All suspects are in custody, and efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate are ongoing.

In a different development, operatives of Orji Police Station on 31st July 2025 at about 2100hrs, arrested one Ernest Nweke ‘m’ at Bishop’s Court Roundabout, Owerri North LGA, following a distress call from concerned citizens. The suspect, a native of Umuoji in Ngor Okpala LGA and resident of World Bank Owerri, was arrested with a locally fabricated pistol after he and three others robbed one Emmanuel Feargod ‘m’ of Fountain of Knowledge Hostel.

Nweke, who confessed to being a member of the Vikings cult group, was identified by the victim and arrested while the others fled. Based on his confession, four other suspects: Chamberlain Prince, Akujuobi Godwin, Ugwuelu Joseph, and Frederick Chigozie were arrested the next morning and also confessed to the crime. All suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will be duly prosecuted in court.