Police in Imo State have dismantled a suspected kidnapping syndicate and arrested a man involved in organ harvesting in the Douglas Road area of the state.
The police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, released a statement late Saturday, saying, “During the operation, one suspect, 38-year-old Justine Emmanuel from Amimo in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State, was arrested, and a 19-year-old female victim, whose name is withheld for privacy, was rescued.”
According to the statement, the arrest followed the swift response of vigilant officers on patrol, who noticed the syndicate forcefully abducting the young woman in a blue and white bus. The group had planned to take her to an undisclosed location to kill her and harvest her organs. During the pursuit, the victim managed to escape by jumping from the vehicle, and police immediately rescued her.
The officers gave chase, leading to the suspects abandoning the vehicle. While one suspect was arrested, the others fled into a nearby bush.
The Imo State Police Command is continuing its investigation to identify other members of the syndicate and uncover the full extent of their criminal activities.
Okoye emphasized that this successful rescue reflects the police’s dedication to fighting violent crime and ensuring community safety. He urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior.