The Abia State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on criminal activities, resulting in the arrest of 141 suspects and the rescue of 23 individuals, including five abducted children. Since Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa took office on September 18, 2024, this operation has led to notable breakthroughs in tackling crime across the state.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Police Public Relations Officer ASP Maureen Chinaka provided details on the operation, revealing that of the 141 suspects, 110 were male and 31 female. She highlighted the Command’s success in confiscating a range of weapons and illegal items, including five single-barrel shotguns, four double-barrel shotguns, two long guns, a pistol, ammunition, a vehicle, an autorickshaw, motorcycles, and bicycles.
Other recovered items included cannabis, illicit drugs, and stolen goods such as vehicle parts, armoured cables, gas cylinders, and various tools, underscoring the Command’s focus on curbing organized crime.
During the briefing, a 24-year-old suspect, Tochi Onyendi, was questioned about his alleged involvement in a theft and murder case. Onyendi, a mechanic, claimed he was unknowingly working on a stolen vehicle tied to a murder and was subsequently apprehended while his brother, the prime suspect, remains at large.
The Command also reported a significant recovery operation involving 56 rustled cattle following an attack on the Lokpanta Cattle Market. CP Isa explained that the attack, which occurred in Umunneochi and Isuikwuato LGAs, left seven youths dead and one injured, with 65 cattle stolen. Collaborating with local guards, the police have so far recovered 56 cattle, and efforts continue to apprehend the perpetrators.
Highlighting future security measures, CP Isa revealed plans to install CCTV cameras in high-risk areas throughout Abia, a project currently in the funding phase. He also outlined a detailed security strategy for the upcoming local government elections, including extensive patrols and stop-and-search operations in key zones across Aba and Umuahia to ensure safety during the year-end festivities.
The Abia Police Command remains committed to restoring security across the state, with CP Isa urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
