ABIA POLICE ARREST SUSPECTS OVER URATTA STATION ATTACK, RESCUE 10 STOLEN CHILDREN
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Abia State Police Command has arrested suspects linked to 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, Afolabi Wilfred, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on the command’s achievements from September 11, 2026, to date.
He said operatives, acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with sister security agencies, arrested some of the hoodlums who allegedly 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 raided a location in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area, on October 25 in connection with an attempted murder investigation and arrested a suspect identified as Osita.
The police recovered a locally made double-barrelled long gun, a locally made single-barrelled long gun, 16 live cartridges and four expended cartridges from the suspect.
The command also arrested Chisholm Okechukwu, 30, who was allegedly involved in the illegal supply of ammunition. The suspects have been charged to court following the conclusion of investigations.
On child stealing, Wilfred said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested two suspects, identified as Chinwe, 38, and another individual, on October 11 over alleged conspiracy and child stealing.
The operation led to the rescue of Chiamaka Chikeze, seven, and Goodluck Chikeze, nine months old. The children were reunited with their parents, while the suspects have been charged to court.
Similarly, operatives of the unit arrested a five-man vehicle theft syndicate on October 11 at about 8pm. Those arrested included 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 further disclosed the arrest of Vincent Chidera, 27, and Onwachukwu Ernest, 25, for alleged unlawful possession of a fabricated firearm and membership of an unlawful society.
He said the suspects were arrested on October 31 by police operatives working with sister security agencies after allegedly threatening and dispossessing students of Abia State University, Uturu, of their mobile phones and other valuables using 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, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit raided a criminal hideout at Imuizi and arrested Iheanyi, 38, from Osisioma Ngwa, recovering a locally fabricated double-barrelled shotgun from him. He has been charged to court.
Giving an overview of the command’s operations, Wilfred said 211 cases involving various criminal offences, including road traffic accidents, were recorded between September 11 and November 6, 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.
Wilfred 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 Abia, which he attributed to the command’s sustained operational strategy.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to strengthening community partnerships, improving intelligence gathering, enhancing police visibility and deploying proactive strategies to address security concerns across the state.
The commissioner urged residents to support the police by providing timely information and participating actively 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,” he added.
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