Abia Police Arrest Uratta Police Station Attack Suspects, Rescue 10 Children, Recover 15 Guns

The Abia State Police Command has arrested suspects linked to the attack on Uratta Divisional Police Headquarters, rescued 10 stolen children and recovered 15 firearms and 30 stolen vehicles during security operations across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Afolabi Wilfred, disclosed this on Friday while presenting the command’s operational achievements from September 11, 2026, to November 6, 2026.

He said operatives, acting on intelligence and working with other security agencies, arrested some of the suspects involved in the October 17 attack on Uratta Divisional Police Headquarters.

According to the commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that one of the suspects confessed to leading the group responsible for the attack.

He said investigations were continuing to establish the full circumstances of the incident, identify other accomplices and ensure that everyone involved was brought to justice.

In a separate operation, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit raided a location in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area, on October 25 in connection with an attempted murder investigation.

The operation led to the arrest of a suspect identified as Osita, from whom the police recovered two locally made guns, 16 live cartridges and four expended cartridges.

The command also arrested a 30-year-old suspect, Chisholm Okechukwu, over alleged involvement in the illegal supply of ammunition. Wilfred said both suspects had been charged to court after investigations.

On child theft, the commissioner said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested two suspects, including 38-year-old Chinwe, on October 11 over alleged conspiracy and child stealing.

Two children, seven-year-old Chiamaka Chikeze and nine-month-old Goodluck Chikeze, were rescued and reunited with their parents. The suspects have also been charged to court.

The police commissioner further disclosed that operatives arrested a five-man vehicle theft syndicate on October 11. Those arrested included 43-year-old Chimezie Moses and 40-year-old Kelechi Matthew Onoegu.

A Toyota Corolla with registration number ROU 9338J was recovered during the operation, while the suspects were subsequently charged to court.

In another operation, police arrested Vincent Chidera, 27, and Onwachukwu Ernest, 25, on October 31 over alleged unlawful possession of a fabricated firearm and membership of an unlawful society.

Wilfred said the suspects were accused of threatening students of Abia State University, Uturu, and dispossessing them of mobile phones and other valuables using a locally fabricated firearm.

He added that one of the suspects confessed to belonging to the Black Axe Confraternity, while investigations continued to identify and arrest other alleged members of the group.

The commissioner also said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit raided a suspected criminal hideout at Imuizi on October 28, arresting a 38-year-old man identified as Iheanyi from Osisioma Ngwa.

A locally fabricated double-barrelled shotgun was recovered during the operation, and the suspect was charged to court.

Giving an overview of the command’s activities, Wilfred said the police recorded 211 cases involving different offences, including road traffic accidents, during the period under review.

He disclosed that 89 male and 20 female suspects were arrested in connection with the cases, while several investigations had resulted in prosecutions and the remand of some suspects in correctional centres.

The command also investigated four cult-related cases, leading to the arrest of nine suspects. Other recoveries included 15 firearms, 60 rounds of ammunition, 30 stolen vehicles and substances suspected to be illicit drugs.

Wilfred said the operations also resulted in the rescue of 10 stolen children and the dismantling of several criminal networks operating across Abia State.

He attributed the reported reduction in criminal activities to intelligence gathering, targeted operations and proactive policing.

The commissioner urged residents to continue providing useful information to security agencies and participating in community safety initiatives.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to improving police visibility, strengthening community partnerships and responding to security concerns across the state.