Imo: Police rescued teenage girl from alleged organ harvesters, arrested one suspect

The Imo State Police Command has foiled an attempt by suspected human organ traffickers following the arrest of a 38-year-old man in connection with the kidnapping of a 19-year-old girl in Owerri.

Briefing journalists on the development, the Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Henry Okoye, in a press statement, said that on October 10, 2024, as a result of intelligence, the police encountered a syndicate suspected of kidnapping and organ trafficking in the popular Douglass area of ​​the state capital.

He stated that the operation led to the arrest of Justine Emmanuel, a 38-year-old man from Amaimo in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State, after the rescue of a 19-year-old young lady whose name is withheld for privacy reasons.

“The arrest followed a quick response by vigilant Visible Patrol agents who observed the syndicate in a blue and white bus forcibly taking a young girl to an undisclosed location where they intended to kill her and harvest her organs. During the chase, the victim managed to jump out of the bus and was immediately rescued,” he added.

The police spokesman further said that officers began a pursuit, which led to the abandonment of the vehicle and the arrest of one suspect, while the others fled into nearby bushes.

He revealed that the command is currently conducting further investigations aimed at identifying additional members of the syndicate and assessing the full scope of their criminal activities.

He maintained that the successful rescue operation highlights the State Police Department’s commitment to combating violent crime and ensuring community safety.

ASP Okoye used the moment to urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, saying further developments would be communicated as the investigation unfolds.