Police in Imo State have dismantled a suspected organ harvesting and kidnapping syndicate in the Douglas Road area. The operation led to the arrest of one suspect and the rescue of a 19-year-old female victim, sparking relief and concern across the community.
Henry Okoye, the spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, shared details of the incident in a statement released late Saturday.
Okoye said, “During the operation, one suspect, Justine Emmanuel, a 38-year-old male from Amimo in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State, was arrested, and a 19-year-old young lady, whose name is withheld for privacy, was rescued.”
The arrest occurred after vigilant police operatives on patrol noticed a suspicious blue and white bus. They saw members of the syndicate forcefully attempting to transport the young woman to an undisclosed location, where they allegedly planned to kill her and harvest her organs. As police engaged the suspects in a high-speed chase, the victim bravely jumped from the moving vehicle, leading to her immediate rescue.
“The police engaged in a hot pursuit, leading to the abandonment of the vehicle and the arrest of one suspect, while others escaped into the nearby bush,” Okoye continued.
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The police spokesperson emphasized the ongoing efforts to uncover more members of the criminal group and to understand the full scope of their operations.
“The command is conducting further investigations to identify additional members of the syndicate and assess the full extent of their criminal activities,” he noted.
Okoye highlighted that the successful rescue is a testament to the dedication of the Imo State Police Command in fighting violent crime and protecting residents. He urged community members to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious activities.