NEWS
Abia Police Arrest Suspects Over Uretta Police Station Attack, Recover 15 Firearms, Rescue 10 Stolen Children
Abia Police Arrest Suspects Over Uretta Police Station Attack, Recover 15 Firearms, Rescue 10 Stolen Children
Abia Police Arrest Suspects Over Uretta Police Station Attack, Recover 15 Firearms, Rescue 10 Stolen Children
The Abia State Police Command has arrested several suspects allegedly involved in the October 17, 2026 attack on the Uretta Divisional Police Station, as part of its operational successes, which also led to the recovery of 15 firearms and the rescue of 10 stolen children.
The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, disclosed this during a press conference at the Police Headquarters, Umuahia, where he presented the command’s operational achievements since its last press briefing on September 11, 2026.
CP Afolabi said the arrests were made through actionable intelligence and collaboration with sister security agencies, adding that preliminary investigations revealed that one of the suspects confessed to leading the team responsible for the attack.
He said discreet investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend other accomplices involved in the incident and ensure that all those responsible were brought to justice.
The police commissioner attributed the command’s achievements to intelligence-led policing, strategic deployment of personnel, targeted operations and sustained enforcement activities, which he said had contributed significantly to crime prevention and the protection of lives and property across the state.
He explained that the command’s operational strategies combined kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olutunji Rilwan Disu, aimed at strengthening operational capacity, enhancing intelligence-driven policing and building public confidence.
Giving the overall crime statistics for the period under review, CP Afolabi disclosed that the command recorded 211 cases involving various criminal offences, including road traffic accidents, leading to the arrest of 109 suspects, comprising 89 males and 20 females.
Every second brings Nigerians closer to exercising their democratic right and shaping the future of our nation.
Exercise your democratic right responsibly, peacefully and lawfully.
He further disclosed that four cult-related cases were investigated, resulting in the arrest of nine suspects, while 15 firearms of various categories were recovered.
According to him, the operations also led to the rescue of 10 stolen children, recovery of 60 rounds of ammunition, three stolen vehicles and substances suspected to be illicit drugs, as well as the dismantling of several criminal networks operating within the state.
Channel
On the rescue of kidnapped children, the commissioner said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), on October 11, 2026, arrested two suspects, Chinwedu Joel, 38, and Aturechi Benson, 36, over alleged conspiracy and child stealing.
He said the operation resulted in the rescue of two children, Chioma Chikeze, aged six, and Goodluck Chikeze, aged nine months, who were subsequently reunited with their parents.
On the arrest of suspected cultists terrorising students of Abia State University, CP Afolabi said a joint team of police operatives and sister security agencies arrested two suspects, Victor Chidera, 27, and Chukwu Ernest, 25, on October 31, 2026.
He alleged that the suspects threatened and dispossessed students of their mobile phones and other valuables using dangerous weapons, adding that they confessed to belonging to the Black Axe Confraternity.
The commissioner said a fabricated toy gun was recovered from them, while investigations were ongoing to apprehend other members of the alleged gang.
He also disclosed that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested three suspects in Ubakala on October 25 in connection with an attempted murder investigation. The suspects were identified as Chisom, 27; Chioma Okechukwu, 30; and Osita, 28.
Items recovered during the operation included one locally made double-barrel gun, one locally made single-barrel gun, 16 live cartridges and four expended cartridges.CP Afolabi said investigations had been concluded and the suspects charged to court.
On capacity building, the commissioner said the command had introduced specialised training programmes in cybercrime investigation, crime analysis, timing and mapping, intelligence gathering, information verification, firearms handling and tactical operations to improve the professional competence of its personnel.
He also disclosed that the command, in collaboration with its partners, concluded a three-day media and audio-visual training programme on November 4, 2026, for police public relations personnel, designated police correspondents and media representatives of sister security agencies.
CP Afolabi said the command had strengthened its Community Safety Partnership initiative through engagements with traditional rulers, community leaders, youth representatives, vigilante groups and other stakeholders to identify security challenges and develop practical solutions.Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, he assured residents of the command’s commitment to strengthening intelligence gathering, enhancing police visibility and deploying proactive policing strategies to sustain peace and security across the state.
He noted that crime analysis for the period under review indicated a significant reduction in criminal activities, which he attributed to sustained operational strategies and proactive policing.
The commissioner urged residents to support the police through timely information sharing, cooperation and active participation in community safety initiatives, stressing that security remained a collective responsibility.
He reaffirmed the command’s determination to protect lives and property across the state, declaring: “Together, we keep Abia safe.”
Related
DO YOU WANT TO WHISTLEBLOW, REPORT FRAUD, THEFT OR INJUSTICE OR INTIMIDATION? SEND US YOUR STORY/REPORT TO NEWSDESK@MEDIATODAY.NG
