The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three suspected kidnappers and the arrest of nine other individuals linked to various crimes across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on recent operations carried out between April 1 and April 14.
He described the development as part of sustained efforts by the command to combat crime through intelligence-driven strategies.
“From April 1 to date, the Command has recorded significant successes through intelligence-led operations,” Isa said.
According to him, operatives recovered a cache of weapons, including ten AK-47 rifles, two locally fabricated pistols, three single-barrel guns, one pump-action shotgun, and 44 rounds of live ammunition.
Other items recovered, he added, include three vehicles, communication gadgets, SIM cards, face masks, hand gloves, charms, and personal belongings suspected to be linked to criminal activities.
“Eight male suspects and one female suspect have been apprehended for offences ranging from kidnapping and armed robbery to unlawful possession of firearms and vehicle theft,” the police boss stated.
Isa also revealed that the arrests were linked to crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, defilement, and conspiracy.
Providing details on some cases, he said officers from the Isiala-Ngwa Division arrested a 63-year-old suspect for allegedly abducting and sexually assaulting a teenage girl, as well as withdrawing money from her parents’ bank account.
“The suspect allegedly abducted a 16-year-old girl, defiled her, and used her parents’ ATM cards to withdraw about ₦200,000,” he said.
In a related case, the commissioner said operatives from the Eastern Ngwa Division arrested a 20-year-old man accused of luring a 15-year-old girl to a secluded area where he allegedly assaulted her.
“The suspect was apprehended after taking the victim to a bush in Osa Ukwu, where the offence was committed,” Isa added.
He noted that investigations are ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department, assuring that all suspects would be prosecuted upon completion of inquiries.
The police commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities and urged residents to support law enforcement efforts.
“We encourage members of the public to provide timely and credible information to assist the police in maintaining law and order,” he said.
In a separate development, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the arrest of two security guards over the alleged killing of a traveller in the Ibafo area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Babaseyi Oluseyi, said the suspects were apprehended following the incident, which reportedly occurred in the early hours of April 10.
