The Imo State operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with the local vigilance groups, has swooped on kidnappers’ hideouts in Okuku and Ndegwu communities, both in Owerri-West Local Government Area and dislodged them, Henry Okoye, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), has said.
The operation, coordinated by Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, ACP, led to the recovery of a decomposed corpse from one of the hideouts located in an abandoned livestock farm deep within the Okuku–Agwa forest.
And the scene, he said, has been cordoned off, and the body was carefully evacuated by operatives and taken to the morgue for further forensic examination.
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According to the PPRO, samples of the decomposing body have been collected by the Command’s Forensic Unit and will be sent for DNA analysis to determine whether they correspond with that of Barrister Jeffery Ucheagwu, male, of Ihembosi, who was abducted on 14 October, 2025, at Site and Services, Umuguma, Owerri-West LGA.
He further said that the dislodged hideouts have been placed under 24-hour close surveillance to prevent the criminals from regrouping and to aid further intelligence gathering on their activities, as the Command intensifies efforts to apprehend members of the gang responsible for the abduction of Ucheagwu and ensure his possible rescue if he is still alive.
According to him, Aboki Danjuma, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, has commended the operatives for their professionalism and gallantry, and reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety and security of all Imolites.
He further appealed to members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of the police through the provision of timely and credible information that could aid ongoing investigations.
