The recent call by a Radio broadcaster and Activist, Chinonso Uba has triggered controversy in Imo and beyond .
This is even as Imo Police Command have put the records straight over the whereabouts of the said Oluchukwu Elekwachi.
In a pressb release from the state police command through the command’s police public relations officer, DSP. Henry Okoye, the Imo state police command is aware of a social media post by Mr. Chinonso Uba (@nonsonkwa) on X, in which he falsely claims that individuals have gone missing in Imo state and demands that the command confirm the status of Oluchukwu Elekwachi within seven days.
The command’s spokesperson said that for the avoidance of doubt, the command does not operate based on ultimatums from individuals on social media but in the interest of public clarity.
According to the command, the said Oluchukwu Elekwachi is deceased, revealing that he sustained fatal injuries during a gun duel with police operatives on September 11, 2024, adding
that he was taken to the hospital for treatment but was later confirmed dead by medical practitioner.
His body according to the release remains at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, and a pump-action gun was recovered from him.
DSP. Okoye further disclosed that Oluchukwu Elekwachi was a notorious kidnapper from Amara, Ikeduru Local Goverbment Area of Imo state and was a key member of the proscribed ESN.
According to the PPRO, He was one of the most wanted criminals in Imo state, linked to several violent crimes, including the 2022 kidnapping of a female police officer, the 2023 murder of a trailer driver at Orji Flyover, and the 2021 attack on Owerri police barracks, where IPOB/ESN commander “Dragon” was neutralized.
That his reign of terror came to an end when, on June 11th 2024, at about 06:30 hours, Elekwachi and his gang ambushed police officers conducting a stop-and-search operation at Amajohn Akabor, Ikeduru LGA, also chartered away with their two AK47 Riffles, pointing out
that the attack led to the tragic deaths of two officers—Inspector Samuel Akagu and Inspector Unah Utele—as well as a civilian security personnel, Mr. Eddy Ogele, who worked at Progressive Hotel, Akabo.
Okoye however revealed that Fleeing the scene, Elekwachi and his gang attempted to escape, but as fate would have it, their operational vehicle, a black Lexus SUV, broke down. Surveillance footage from a concerned resident captured Elekwachi and five of his accomplices trying to fix the vehicle, leading to his identification.
He maintained that building on this crucial intelligence, security operatives launched a manhunt, tracked him to his hideout at Amajohn, Ikeduru on September 11, 2024. When confronted, he engaged police operatives in a gun duel, during which he sustained gunshot injuries while attempting to escape. He was rushed to the hospital, where he later died while receiving treatment
According to the police spokesperson, the Imo state police command strongly refutes the baseless claims made by Mr. Chinonso Uba, which are intended to mislead the public and incite fear adding that the allegation that individuals have gone missing under the administration of His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, is entirely false and misleading.
He made it clear that the command remains transparent in its operations and committed to public safety. Pointing out that they urge members of the public to rely on verified information from official sources rather than being misled by false narratives on social media.
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