The Imo State Police Command has 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.
Major General Duru was kidnapped on September 27, 2023, along Bishops Court, Area 7 Orji/Uratta Owerri. During the incident, his black Mercedes Benz G.L. 450 car, with registration number LND 826 NG, was also stolen by the suspected kidnappers.
In a statement signed by the Command’s spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, the police refuted the suspects’ claims, asserting that the retired Army chief is still alive and that efforts are ongoing to rescue him and apprehend his abductors.
The statement reads: “Sequel to the Command’s press briefing of May 16, 2024, on the progress made in the reported case of the kidnapping of Retired Major General Richard Duru, where the three arrested suspects made confessional statements during interrogation, claiming to be members of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN), the Command is yet to confirm this allegation.”
ASP Okoye further disclosed that a special unit, inaugurated by Police Commissioner CP Aboki Danjuma, is still conducting an in-depth investigation and has made significant progress based on the suspects’ confessions and technical intelligence.
“However, the high-powered investigation team, inaugurated by the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, psc (+), on the day the incident was reported, is still investigating and has made tremendous progress based on the confessional statements of the three suspects and through technical intelligence,” the release added.
The police urged the public, particularly the victim’s family, not to lose faith and to disregard the suspects’ statements made during the press briefing. The Command assured that all security agencies are working together to rescue the victim unharmed, apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure they face justice.
The Command also called on the public to assist the police with credible information and to report any suspicious activities or persons to the nearest police station or any security agency, or call the Command’s emergency numbers: 08034773600 or 08098880197.
