Abia Police Raid Criminal Hideouts, Arrest 31 Suspected Drug Dealers, Destroy Camps

Abia Police Raid Criminal Hideouts, Arrest 31 Suspected Drug Dealers, Destroy Camps

The Abia State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on criminal hideouts across the state, arresting 31 suspects and destroying several camps allegedly used for illicit drug activities during coordinated raids in Umuahia.
The operation, carried out by operatives of the Central Police Station (CPS), Umuahia, in collaboration with community vigilantes, followed the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, to sustain aggressive clearance operations against criminal elements in the state.

According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, the operation was based on actionable intelligence which led security operatives to raid identified criminal hideouts within the Mission Hill/New Road axis, popularly known as “Down Below,” a secluded valley extending into the bush. Another notorious hideout at Amuzukwu, allegedly used for drug bunkering and as a refuge for criminals, was also raided.

During the operation, the police apprehended 30 male suspects aged between 22 and 46 years and one female suspect. The operatives also recovered various substances suspected to be illicit hard drugs.

The statement further disclosed that on July 1, 2026, police operatives revisited the same locations following sustained intelligence gathering. During the follow-up operation, they identified and destroyed about eight makeshift tents and camps constructed with baboon sticks and tarpaulins, allegedly serving as safe havens for criminals involved in the concealment and sale of illicit drugs.

The police said the structures were burnt to ashes to dismantle the criminal network and disrupt their operations. All the suspects have since been charged to court and remanded in a correctional facility.

Reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling crime, the Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, declared that Abia would remain hostile to criminals. He assured residents that the Command would continue to strengthen its operational strategies to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.

The police boss also urged members of the public to support ongoing security efforts by providing timely and credible information to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency hotlines

He emphasized that effective collaboration between the police and residents remains critical to sustaining peace and security in Abia State.