Abia Police Conduct Major Crackdown, Arrest 141, Rescue 23

The Abia State Police Command has apprehended 141 suspects for various offenses, recovered an assortment of weapons and vehicles, and rescued 23 individuals, including five abducted children, since the arrival of Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa on September 18, 2024.

At a press briefing on Thursday, Command Public Relations Officer ASP Maureen Chinaka detailed the arrests, which included 110 males and 31 females. She reported the recovery of numerous weapons during operations, such as five locally made single-barrel shotguns, four double-barrel shotguns, two long guns, a pistol, five live cartridges, one spent cartridge, a vehicle, an autorickshaw, two motorcycles, and two bicycles.

In addition to the firearms, police seized suspected cannabis, illicit drugs, 56 rustled cattle, two saw blades, a bag containing a Nokia handset, a spanner, two large scissors, two pliers, a small torch, vehicle parts, armored cables, two gas cylinders, a screwdriver, an axe, and various other tools.

Responding to questions from journalists, 24-year-old suspect Tochi Onyendi from Isialangwa South, who is charged with murder and theft, explained that he is a mechanic who was called by his brother to fix a car. “I was unaware that the car was stolen and linked to a murder,” Onyendi said, adding that he was arrested while working on the vehicle. His brother remains at large.

Regarding the recovery of 56 rustled cattle, CP Isa noted, “On 18 October, a report was filed at SCID Umuahia about an attack by unidentified assailants at the Lokpanta Cattle Market in Umunneochi LGA and Eziama Nunya in Isuikwuato LGA, where seven youths were killed, one was injured, and 65 cattle were stolen. Police operatives, in collaboration with Seriki Hausa local guards, have so far recovered 56 cattle. Efforts are ongoing to retrieve the remaining livestock and apprehend the attackers.”

CP Isa also discussed the command’s CCTV project, stating that talks are underway with partners to secure funding for installations across key locations in Abia. “This project is financially intensive, but we are working on bringing it to fruition,” he added.

In preparation for upcoming local government elections, Isa assured the public, “We have a comprehensive security plan in place, with our personnel well-briefed on maintaining order at polling stations and ABSIEC offices.”

Looking toward the year-end festivities, CP Isa said, “Aba and Umuahia have been divided into strategic patrol zones. Our teams will conduct thorough patrols and stop-and-search operations to ensure safety. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience to the public.”