A total of 28 human skulls and bones, suspected to be those of kidnapping victims, have been recovered from two criminal hideouts in Umuaku-Isuochi and Nneato forests in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State by operatives of the Abia State Police Command.
The remains were recovered 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 of the command.
The development was disclosed on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Abia State Police Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka.
She noted that the operation was carried out as part of ongoing intelligence-led raids across Abia State, as directed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Afolabi, under the theme, “Operation No Hideout for Criminal Elements in the State.”
The press release read in part:
“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 Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, reiterates the command’s commitment to ensuring that Abia remains a no-hiding place for criminals and their activities.”
The release also urged members of the public in Abia State to collaborate with the police by reporting any security concerns to the nearest police station.