The Abia State Police Command has arrested suspects involved in the attack on Uratta Divisional Police Headquarters, rescued 10 stolen children and recovered 15 firearms and 30 stolen vehicles in sustained operations across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Afolabi Wilfred, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on the achievements of the command from September 11, 2026, to date.
He said operatives, acting on actionable intelligence and in collaboration with sister security agencies, apprehended some of the hoodlums who participated in the attack on Uratta Divisional Police Headquarters on October 17, 2026.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects confessed to have led the team that was responsible for the attack.
“A discreet investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident, identify other accomplices and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice,” the commissioner said.
In another operation, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, on October 25, 2026, raided a location in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area, in connection with an attempted murder investigation and arrested a suspect identified as Osita.
The police recovered one locally made double-barrelled long gun, one locally made single-barrelled long gun, 16 live cartridges and four expended cartridges from the suspect.
The command also arrested one Chisholm Okechukwu, 30, alleged to be an accomplice who specialises in the illegal supply of ammunition. The suspects have been charged to court following the conclusion of the investigation.
On child stealing, the commissioner said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, on October 11, 2026, arrested two suspects, Chinwe, 38, and another suspect, for conspiracy and suspected child stealing at the victim’s residence.
The rescued children, Chiamaka Chikeze, 7, and Goodluck Chikeze, nine months old, were reunited with their parents. The suspects have been charged to court.
Similarly, operatives of the same unit, on October 11, 2026, at about 8pm, arrested a five-man vehicle theft syndicate, including Chimezie Moses, 43, and Kelechi Matthew Onoegu, 40.
The police also recovered a Toyota Corolla with registration number ROU 9338J. The suspects have been charged to court.
The commissioner also disclosed the arrest of two suspects, Vincent Chidera, 27, and Onwachukwu Ernest, 25, for unlawful possession of a fabricated firearm and alleged membership of an unlawful society.
He said the suspects were arrested on October 31, 2026, by police operatives working with sister security agencies for allegedly threatening and dispossessing students of Abia State University, Uturu, of their mobile phones and other valuables with a locally fabricated firearm.
“One of the suspects confessed to belong to the Black Axe Confraternity. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang, and upon conclusion, they will be charged to court,” he said.
In a separate operation on October 28, 2026, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit raided a criminal hideout at Imuizi and arrested one Iheanyi, 38, from Osisioma Ngwa, recovering a locally fabricated double-barrelled shotgun from him. He has been charged to court.
Giving a general overview, the commissioner said the command recorded 211 cases involving various criminal offences, including road traffic accidents, between September 11, 2026, and Friday, leading to the arrest of 89 male and 20 female suspects.
“Several of these cases have been thoroughly investigated, charged to court and are currently undergoing prosecution, with some suspects remanded in correctional centres,” he said.
He added that four cult-related cases were investigated, resulting in the arrest of nine suspects, while 15 firearms of various categories were recovered during intelligence-led operations.
“Through sustained intelligence gathering, proactive policing and targeted operational raids, the command successfully rescued 10 stolen children and reunited them with their families. Other recoveries include 60 rounds of ammunition, 30 stolen vehicles and substances suspected to be illicit drugs,” the commissioner stated.
The CP said the operations also led to the dismantling of several criminal networks operating within the state.
According to him, crime analysis for the period under review indicated a significant reduction in criminal activities across the state, reflecting the impact of the command’s sustained operational strategy.
“The command remains resolute in its commitment to strengthening community partnership, deepening intelligence gathering, enhancing police visibility and deploying proactive policing strategies to identify, prevent and respond efficiently to the peculiar security concerns of communities across Abia State,” he said.
He urged members of the public to continue supporting the police through timely information sharing and active participation in community safety initiatives.
“The fight against crime remains a collective responsibility. Your partnership remains invaluable to our collective efforts towards sustaining peace and security in the state. Together we keep Abia safe,” the commissioner added.
