Police arrest attackers of Uratta Divisional Headquarters, rescue 10 stolen children in Abia
Police arrest attackers of Uratta Divisional Headquarters, rescue 10 stolen children in Abia
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
The Abia State Police Command has arrested suspects involved in 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, Abia State Command, CP Afolabi Wilfred, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on the achievements of the Command from September 11, 2026 to date.
He said operatives, leveraging actionable intelligence and collaboration with sister security agencies, apprehended some of the hoodlums who 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 on October 25, 2026, raided a location at Ubakala in Umuahia South Local Government in connection with an attempted murder investigation and arrested a suspect, Osita, from whom one locally made double-barrelled long gun, one locally made single-barrelled long gun, 16 live cartridges and four expended cartridges were recovered.
The Command also arrested one Chisholm Okechukwu, 30, alleged to be an accomplice who specialises in the illegal supply of ammunition. The suspects have been charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
On child stealing, the Commissioner said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit on October 11, 2026, arrested two suspects, Chinwe 38, and another suspect, for conspiracy and suspected child stealing at the victim’s residence.
The rescued victims, Chiamaka Chikeze 7 and Goodluck Chikeze, 9 months old, were rescued and reunited with their parents. The suspects have been charged to court.
Similarly, operatives of the same unit on October 11, 2026, at about 8:00pm, arrested a five-man vehicle stealing syndicate, including Chimezie Moses, 43, and Kelechi Matthew Onoegu, 40, and recovered a Toyota Corolla car with registration number ROU 9338J. The suspects have been charged to court.
The Commissioner also disclosed the arrest of two suspects, Vincent Chidera, 27, and Onwachukwu Ernest, 25, for unlawful possession of a fabricated firearm belonging to an unlawful society.
He said the suspects were apprehended on October 31, 2026, by police in collaboration with sister security agencies for threatening and dispossessing students of Abia State University, Uturu, of their mobile phones and other valuables with 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, 2026, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit raided a criminal hideout at Imuizi and arrested one Iheanyi, 38, from Osisioma Ngwa, and recovered one locally fabricated double-barrelled shotgun from him. He has been charged to court.
Giving a general overview, the Commissioner said from September 11, 2026 to date, the Command recorded a total of 211 cases involving various criminal offences, including road traffic accidents, 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.
The CP 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 indicates a significant reduction in criminal activities across the state, reflecting the positive impact of the Command’s sustained operational strategy.
“The Command remains resolute in its commitment to strengthening community partnership, deepening intelligence gathering, enhancing police visibility and deploying proactive policing strategies to identify, prevent and respond efficiently to the peculiar security concerns of communities across Abia State,” he said.
He urged members of the public to continue to support the police through timely information sharing and active participation 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,” the Commissioner added.
Photo: Some of the suspects and exhibits