Operatives of the Abia State Police Command have recovered 28 human skulls and bones, suspected to be those of kidnapping victims, from two criminal hideouts in forests around Umuaku-Isuochi and Nneato in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.
The remains were recovered during an intelligence-led operation conducted by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, Intelligence Response Squad, Isuochi Divisional Police Station and Rapid Response Squad.
The development was disclosed on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Maureen Chinaka.
According to Chinaka, the operation was carried out as part of ongoing raids across the state on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Afolabi, under the theme, “Operation No Hideout for Criminal Elements in the State.”
She said the suspected criminals fled their camps upon the arrival of the police operatives, leading to the subsequent dismantling of the hideouts.
She stated, “Upon arrival of the command’s tactical operatives at the camps, the suspects fled. The criminal camps were subsequently dismantled.
“A total of twenty-eight, 28 human skulls and bones, suspected to be those of kidnapping victims, were recovered. Investigation is ongoing, while monitoring of the area continues, and efforts are intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”
The police spokesperson added that the Commissioner of Police had reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring that Abia State remained a hostile environment for criminal activities.
The command also urged residents to cooperate with the police by reporting suspicious activities and security concerns to the nearest police station.
The recovered remains are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation as police intensify efforts to identify the victims and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
