NEWS
ABIA POLICE ARREST SUSPECTED LEADER OF URATTA POLICE STATION ATTACK, RECOVER 15 FIREARMS, RESCUE 10 STOLEN CHILDREN
The Abia State Police Command has recorded significant operational breakthroughs in its ongoing efforts to combat crime and strengthen security across the state, arresting several suspects linked to the October 17, 2026 attack on the Uratta Divisional Police Station in Aba North, recovering 15 firearms and rescuing 10 stolen children.
The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, disclosed these achievements during a press conference at the Police Headquarters in Umuahia, where he presented the command’s operational scorecard covering activities since its last press briefing on September 11, 2026.
Providing details of the Uratta Police Station attack, CP Afolabi explained that the arrests were made through actionable intelligence and collaboration with sister security agencies. Preliminary investigations, he revealed, showed that one of the arrested suspects confessed to leading the gang responsible for the attack.
He assured that discreet investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend other accomplices, stressing the command’s determination to ensure that everyone connected with the incident is brought to justice.
The commissioner attributed the command’s growing operational successes to intelligence-led policing, strategic deployment of personnel, targeted security operations and sustained enforcement activities, which he said had contributed to crime prevention and the protection of lives and property.
Presenting the overall crime statistics, CP Afolabi disclosed that the command recorded 211 cases involving various criminal offences, including road traffic accidents, during the period under review. The cases resulted in the arrest of 109 suspects, comprising 89 males and 20 females.
He further revealed that four cult-related cases were investigated, leading to the arrest of nine suspects, while 15 firearms of different categories were recovered.
Other achievements included the rescue of 10 stolen children, recovery of 60 rounds of ammunition, three stolen vehicles and substances suspected to be illicit drugs, alongside the dismantling of several criminal networks operating within the state.
Highlighting one of the command’s notable breakthroughs, CP Afolabi disclosed that operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), on October 11, 2026, arrested two suspects, Chinwedu Joel, 38, and Aturechi Benson, 36, over alleged conspiracy and child stealing.
The operation led to the successful rescue of two children, Chioma Chikeze, aged six, and Goodluck Chikeze, aged nine months, who were subsequently reunited with their parents.
The commissioner described the operation as part of the command’s sustained commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring that criminal elements involved in child trafficking and related offences are brought to justice.
In another significant operation, the police arrested two suspected cultists allegedly terrorising students of Abia State University.
CP Afolabi said a joint team of police operatives and sister security agencies arrested Victor Chidera, 27, and Chukwu Ernest, 25, on October 31, 2026.
According to him, the suspects allegedly threatened students and dispossessed them of their mobile phones and other valuables using dangerous weapons. They were also alleged to have confessed to belonging to the Black Axe Confraternity.
A fabricated toy gun was recovered from the suspects, while investigations were continuing to track down and apprehend other members of the alleged criminal gang.
The commissioner also disclosed that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested three suspects in Ubakala on October 25 in connection with an attempted murder investigation.
The suspects were identified as Chisom, 27; Chioma Okechukwu, 30; and Osita, 28. Items recovered during the operation included a locally made double-barrel gun, a locally made single-barrel gun, 16 live cartridges and four expended cartridges.
CP Afolabi confirmed that investigations into the case had been concluded and the suspects charged to court. Beyond arrests and crime-fighting operations, the Abia State Police Command is also strengthening the professional capacity of its personnel through specialised training programmes.
The commissioner disclosed that the command had introduced training in cybercrime investigation, crime analysis, timing and mapping, intelligence gathering, information verification, firearms handling and tactical operations. He further announced that the command, in collaboration with its partners, concluded a three-day media and audio-visual training programme on November 4, 2026. The programme was organised for police public relations personnel, designated police correspondents and media representatives of sister security agencies.
On community engagement, CP Afolabi said the command had strengthened its Community Safety Partnership initiative through sustained interactions with traditional rulers, community leaders, youth representatives, vigilante groups and other stakeholders. The initiative, he explained, provides a platform for identifying security challenges at the grassroots and developing practical, community-driven solutions to emerging threats.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the police commissioner assured residents that the command would intensify intelligence gathering, improve police visibility and deploy proactive policing strategies to sustain peace and security throughout the state.
He noted that crime analysis for the period under review indicated a significant reduction in criminal activities, attributing the improvement to sustained operational strategies and proactive policing.
CP Afolabi urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information, cooperating with law enforcement officers and actively participating in community safety initiatives.
He emphasised that maintaining security was a collective responsibility requiring the cooperation of government, security agencies, community leaders and members of the public.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s resolve to protect lives and property, dismantle criminal networks and ensure that Abia remains safe for residents, businesses and visitors.
With the arrest of suspects connected to the Uratta Police Station attack, the recovery of 15 firearms and the rescue of 10 stolen children, the latest operational report highlights the command’s intensified efforts to confront criminal activities 
and strengthen public safety across Abia State.