CurrentReport Blog In a recent development, the Imo State Police Command has officially distanced itself from the confessional statements made by three suspects arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping and killing of Retired Major General Richard Duru.
The incident, which occurred on September 27, 2023, saw Major General Duru abducted along Bishops Court, Area 7 Orji/Uratta, Owerri. His black Mercedes Benz G.L. 450, with registration number LND 826 NG, was also taken by the suspected kidnapping syndicate.
In a statement released by the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye, the police refuted the suspects’ claims, emphasizing that the retired Army chief is still alive. ASP Okoye reassured the public that significant efforts are ongoing to rescue Major General Duru and apprehend the kidnappers.
ASP Okoye highlighted the progress made by a special unit assigned by Police Commissioner CP Aboki Danjuma. This unit has been diligently investigating the case, utilizing both the suspects’ confessional statements and technical intelligence.
The statement from ASP Okoye read:
“Sequel to the Command’s press briefing of May 16, 2024, on the progress made in the reported case of kidnapping of Retired Major General Richard Duru, where the three arrested suspects made confessional statements in the course of interrogation, to be members of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN), to be amongst the syndicate that kidnapped the Retired General and allegedly murdered him, the Command is yet to confirm in strong terms this allegation.
“However, the high-powered investigation team, inaugurated by the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, psc (+), on the day the incident was reported, are still investigating and have made tremendous progress based on the confessional statements of the three suspects and through technical intelligence.
“Meanwhile, the command is using this medium to call on Imolites and the general public, especially the family of the victim, not to lose faith and to disregard the confessional statements made by the three suspects during the press briefing, as the investigation is ongoing, and all the Security Agencies are working in synergy to rescue the kidnap victim unhurt, arrest the perpetrators, unravel their identity, and make them face the full wrath of the law. While adequate security measures have been emplaced in the State to forestall future occurrences.
“Finally, the Command is calling on the general public to assist the police with credible information and to report any clandestine activities or suspicious persons seen within their community to the nearest police station or any security agency or call the Command’s control emergency numbers 08034773600 or 08098880197.”
