The Imo State Police Command has recovered two dead bodies in a forest between Ihiagwa, Abu, and Obinze community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

Leading a team of police officers, Local hunters, vigilantes, and journalists to the bush, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Danjuma Aboki, said the dead bodies were suspected abductees who were killed by suspected kidnappers and criminals.

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 added.

He said 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.

He advised members of the public to report to the police any sensitive information that could aid them in arresting criminals, as well as secure and safeguard the state.