The Abia State Police Command has arrested 141 suspects for various crimes, recovered several weapons and vehicles, and rescued 23 people, including five abducted children, since Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa assumed office on September 18, 2024.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Command Public Relations Officer ASP Maureen Chinaka provided a breakdown of the arrests, noting that among the 141 suspects were 110 males and 31 females.
Chinaka disclosed that the police recovered an array of weapons and other items during the operations, including 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.
Other items seized included 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, armoured cables, two gas cylinders, a screwdriver, an axe, and several other tools.
In response to questions from reporters, a 24-year-old murder and theft suspect, Tochi Onyendi from Isialangwa South, explained he was a mechanic and had been called by his brother to fix a car.
According to Onyendi, he was unaware that the car was stolen and linked to a murder, and he was arrested by police while working on the vehicle. His brother remains at large.
Commenting on the recent recovery of 56 rustled cattle, CP Isa revealed, “On 18 October, a report was filed at SCID Umuahia regarding 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 injured, and 65 cattle 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.”
The CP highlighted the command’s CCTV project, explaining that discussions are underway with partners to secure funding for CCTV installation across key locations in Abia. “This project is financially intensive, but we are working on bringing it to fruition,” he added.
In preparation for the upcoming local government elections, Isa said, “We have a comprehensive security plan in place, with our personnel well-briefed on maintaining order at polling stations and ABSIEC offices.”
Looking ahead to the year-end festivities, CP Isa said, “Aba and Umuahia have been divided into strategic patrol zones. Our teams will conduct thorough patrols, as well as stop-and-search operations, to ensure safety. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience to the public.”
