ABIA POLICE CRACK DOWN: 222 SUSPECTS ARRESTED, 9 VICTIMS RESCUED, 17 FIREARMS RECOVERED.

ABIA POLICE CRACK DOWN: 222 SUSPECTS ARRESTED, 9 VICTIMS RESCUED, 17 FIREARMS RECOVERED.

The Abia State Police Command has arrested over 222 suspects, rescued nine kidnapped and trafficked victims, recovered 17 firearms and 101 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, and dismantled several criminal networks since the assumption of office of the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, on August 10, 2026.

The Commissioner disclosed this  during a press conference at the Command Headquarters, Umuahia, where he outlined the operational achievements recorded by the Command in its ongoing fight against crime and criminality across the state.

Afolabi said the Command had recorded over 152 cases of various criminal offences, leading to the arrest of more than 212 male suspects and 10 female suspects, with several cases already concluded and charged to court, while some suspects had been remanded in correctional centres.

According to him, the achievements were the result of intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, crime mapping, intelligence gathering, continuous training of personnel and strengthened collaboration with relevant security agencies and communities.

One of the major breakthroughs was the arrest of 45-year-old Joseph Uzoma Iheonunaekwu in connection with an armed robbery and car-snatching operation along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Aba, on September 3.

Police operatives attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit recovered a Toyota Highlander allegedly stolen from a female victim, her handbag containing mobile phones and personal effects, a locally made cut-to-size double-barrel gun with a live cartridge and a dummy Beretta pistol.

The Police said preliminary investigation linked the suspect to a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in another car-snatching incident involving a Toyota Venza around Immaculate Street, Aba, on August 18.

The Commissioner also disclosed the successful rescue of Dr. Ikenna Ilo, a 44-year-old medical doctor who was abducted by armed hoodlums on August 19. According to him, the victim was traced towards Imo State, prompting collaboration between the Abia and Imo State Police Commands, leading to his safe release in the early hours of August 20.

Three suspects allegedly involved in dismantling the vehicle tracker and POS operators who reportedly received ransom payments were arrested, while investigations continue to identify other members of the syndicate.

In another major operation, police arrested four suspects David Solomon Samson, Chioma Chinaza, Ogechi Onwuka and Veronica Edem Etim Tom over alleged conspiracy and child trafficking.

The suspects were apprehended at a hotel in Obikabia, Obingwa Local Government Area, on September 7, while allegedly attempting to sell and traffic a one-year-four-month-old girl. The child, identified as the biological daughter of one of the suspects, was rescued and placed in the custody of the Ministry of Women Affairs.

The Command also arrested Uzoma Uwaeme over the alleged brutal abuse of his 13-year-old son. The arrest followed a viral video showing the child tied with a rope, severely flogged, stripped naked and left under the scorching sun.

The victim was rescued and is receiving protection, while the case is being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Umuahia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Afolabi further disclosed the recovery of firearms, ammunition, military-pattern clothing and substances suspected to be cannabis from a criminal syndicate in Okohia, Ukwa West Local Government Area.

The operation, conducted by VCRU on August 30, followed credible intelligence that suspected criminals were attempting to establish an operational camp in the area.

The suspects fled upon sighting the police, abandoning a bag containing a locally made pistol, 40 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, four empty magazines, military-pattern clothing, suspected cannabis and cigarettes.

The Command also arrested Joseph Uche and Godwin Favour over the kidnapping and armed robbery of a female university student at an off-campus lodge in Uturu. The victim was rescued unharmed, while a locally made firearm, an axe and an iPhone 11 Pro Max were recovered.

Other successes include the arrest of suspects over alleged defilement, vandalisation of government property, obtaining money by false pretence, unlawful possession of firearms and illicit drugs.

The Police said Prince Chibuike Chukwudi, 19, was arrested over the alleged defilement of a 12-year-old boy, while Francis Ukaegbu, 62, was arrested over the alleged defilement of a nine-year-old girl.

Similarly, Michael Chinwendu, 55, was arrested while allegedly attempting to vandalise a railway track in Aba, with a cutter, pump-action gun, two machetes, a J5 vehicle and a mobile phone recovered from him.

In another case, Chidera Samuel Nwadike, 28, was arrested for allegedly obtaining ₦500,000 under false pretences after claiming he could process travel documents for a scholarship programme in Finland.

The Command also arrested Okpara Christian, 28, in connection with the alleged vandalisation of an EEDC transformer installation at Adelabu Estate, Umuahia, following the recovery of an armoured cable and other tools.

A night raid conducted by the Central Police Station, Umuahia, in collaboration with local security personnel, also led to the arrest of 35 male suspects and the recovery of substances suspected to be marijuana and other illicit drugs, as well as mobile phones suspected to have been stolen.

In addition, two suspects, Chukwuneme Nnabugwu, 26, and Okpechi Nnanyerem, 25, were arrested during a stop-and-search operation along Finbarrs Road, Umuahia, leading to the recovery of a locally made pistol and an unregistered Honda motorcycle.

The Command also arrested Iwuchukwu Samuel, 23, an alleged member of the Black Axe Confraternity, and recovered a locally made pistol and a live cartridge from him.

Afolabi said four cult-related cases had been investigated, resulting in the arrest and arraignment of 17 suspects, while 17 firearms of various specifications were recovered during intelligence-led operations.

He added that six stolen vehicles, including tricycles and motorcycles, had been recovered, while drug dens operated by criminal gangs were also dismantled across the state.

The Commissioner said substances suspected to be illicit drugs recovered during the operations would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation, stressing that the Command would continue to strengthen inter-agency collaboration.

He assured residents that the Police Command would deepen community partnerships, improve intelligence gathering and enhance police visibility across Abia State.

Afolabi said the Command remained committed to protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order and ensuring that Abia residents could go about their lawful activities in a safe and secure environment.