Over 220 others quizzed in 152 criminal cases
Rescue nine kidnap victims, recover 101 ammunition
By Steve Oko
UMUAHIA: The Abia State Police Command has arrested a man and three others allegedly caught while attempting to sell and traffic his 16-month-old daughter for financial gain.
The four suspects were arrested by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Gender Unit, at a hotel in Obi, Obingwa Local Government Area, on September 7, 2026.
Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Afolabi, who disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on the achievements of the Command since he assumed office on August 10, said the suspects had been transferred from the Central Police Station, Umuahia, in connection with alleged conspiracy and child trafficking.
Afolabi said preliminary investigation established that the child was the biological daughter of one of the suspects, while further investigation indicated that the alleged attempt to traffic her was motivated by the desire to make money.
The child was rescued and placed in the custody of the Ministry of Women Affairs, while the four suspects remained in police custody as investigation continued.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the Command had recorded more than 152 criminal cases and arrested over 220 suspects since his assumption of office, with several of the cases already investigated and charged to court.
He said the Command had, within the period, rescued nine kidnapped victims, recovered 101 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, recovered six stolen vehicles, including tricycles and motorcycles, and dismantled two criminal networks.
Doctor rescued
Afolabi listed the rescue of a medical doctor allegedly abducted by armed men on August 19 among the Command’s major breakthroughs.
He said the victim was forced into his vehicle before his abductors fled towards Imo State.
According to him, vehicle-tracking technology and coordinated intelligence operations involving the Abia and Imo State police commands led to the recovery of the vehicle and rescue of the victim in the early hours of August 20.
He said several persons allegedly linked to the incident, including individuals suspected of assisting with the movement or distribution of ransom money, had been arrested, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the alleged network.
Highway robbery suspect arrested
In another operation, the Commissioner disclosed the arrest of a suspect allegedly linked to an armed robbery and kidnapping incident along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Aba.
He said the suspect was arrested after a female victim was allegedly robbed of a Toyota Highlander, mobile phones, handbag and other personal belongings.
The vehicle was recovered, while a search allegedly led to the recovery of a locally made double-barrel firearm loaded with a live cartridge, a dummy-barrel pistol and some of the victim’s belongings.
The suspect was also allegedly linked to another robbery and kidnapping incident around Immaculate Street, Aba.
Afolabi further disclosed that operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) recovered a locally made single-barrel firearm, about 40 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, two rounds of 7.62 ammunition and four empty magazines after suspected members of a criminal syndicate fled a location in Ugwunagbo.
He said the abandoned bag also reportedly contained a military-pattern item, substances suspected to be cannabis and cigarettes.
Police arrest man over alleged child abuse
The Commissioner said the Command had also intensified its fight against child abuse and other crimes against vulnerable persons.
He cited the arrest of a man over the alleged abuse and assault of his 13-year-old son after a video of the incident went viral.
According to him, the boy was allegedly tied with a rope, severely flogged, stripped naked and left exposed under the sun, sustaining injuries.
The victim was rescued and placed under protective care before being handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs, while the suspect was arrested.
Afolabi attributed the Command’s recent successes to intelligence-led policing, crime mapping, proactive operations, improved police visibility and continuous training and retraining of personnel.
He said the Command had strengthened intelligence gathering and community policing, adding that training in cybercrime and intelligence operations was ongoing.
The Commissioner reaffirmed his open-door policy and urged residents to report criminal activities and police misconduct through the Command’s communication channels.
He appealed for stronger collaboration between the police and communities, stressing that timely and credible information remained vital to crime prevention.
Afolabi also urged journalists to verify information with the Command before publication, saying responsible reporting was essential to maintaining public confidence in security institutions.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and sustaining intelligence-driven operations across Abia State.
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