The Imo State Police Command has busted a criminal hideout in a bush at Amaukwu Orodo in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area, recovering one pump-action gun with live cartridges and other items.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Michael Abattam, stated this in a release made available to Newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday.

Abattam, who signed on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Hussaini, said the command’s tactical teams, after diligent surveillance of the criminal hideout on January 23, 2021, at about 10:30 hours, mobilized and stormed the hideout.

The CP said, “The hoodlums, on sighting the police operatives, opened fire on them and the gallant and battle-ready police operatives swiftly returned fire. In the process, they were overwhelmed by the superior fire-power of the police and they fled into the bush with gunshot injuries while Uzoma Dike ‘m’ aged 42 years and Chidi Osunwa ‘m’ 36 years, both natives of Amaukwu Orodo in Mbitoli LGA of Imo State, were arrested to the station.