Abia Police raid criminal hideouts, recover 28 human skulls and bones in Isuochi

Crime Diary

UMUAHIA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Abia State Police Command has raided suspected criminal hideouts in Isuochi, where operatives recovered 28 human skulls and bones suspected to be those of victims of criminal activities.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, the operation was carried out on Saturday, September 26, as part of ongoing intelligence-led raids across the state under “Operation No Hideout for Criminal Elements in the State.”

Chinaka said the operation followed actionable intelligence and involved personnel from the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, Intelligence Response Unit (IRU), Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Isuochi Divisional Police Station.

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She said the operatives conducted bush-combing operations at suspected criminal camps in forests around Umuaku, Isuochi, as well as another camp at Nneato, also in Isuochi.

According to the police, the suspects fled upon the arrival of the tactical operatives, after which the camps were dismantled.

“The criminal camps were subsequently dismantled. A total of twenty-eight (28) human skulls and bones, suspected to be kidnap victims, were recovered,” the statement said.

The Command said investigation was ongoing, while surveillance of the area had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, said the Command remained committed to making Abia a “no-hiding place” for criminal elements and their activities.

He urged residents to support the police by reporting security concerns to the nearest police station.

As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the remains had not been established. The police are expected to rely on forensic examination, including DNA analysis where necessary, to determine the identities of the deceased and establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths.