November 03, (THEWILL) – The police in Abia reported that it had apprehended 110 male suspects and 31 female suspects during various operations in the state and also rescued five abducted children, one infant, and 17 victims.
The Abia Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, stated this at a press briefing held at the police command, Umuahia.
She said that on 2/10/2024, three persons, John Vincent, 50, Emmanuel Sunday, 45, and Amazi Efiong, 70, all from Ndiwo Itumbauzo in Bende LGA, were arrested in connection with the killing of Mr Jacob Udo, 78, and wife, Mrs Dorcas Jacob, 73, who were murdered in cold blood in their home at Etiti-ulo in Bende LGA of the state.
She said the couple at Etiti-ulo in Bende LGA was found lying lifeless in a pool of blood in their compound and further discovered that several properties were carted away from the house. Upon this report, the crime scene was visited and their corpses were deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.
She noted that the police leveraged credible intelligence as two other principal suspects were also arrested and the deceased phone was recovered from them. Noting that the Investigation is ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID.
The police also hinted that on 22/10/2024, they apprehended four minors, Chidi Richard Chibundu, 14, Bright Maduabuchi, 15, Opara Ugbo, 10, and David Richard, for unlawful carnal knowledge of 3 boys aged 13, 8 and 6, several times threatened to kill the victims if they told anyone about it.
The PPRO noted that upon report, the scene of the crime was visited, and the three suspects are undergoing interrogation, adding that the victims are currently undergoing medical examinations and further investigation is ongoing at SCID. She also noted that police had apprehended one Pastor Uche for defiling a four-year-old girl, and upon report, the scene of the crime was visited, and the suspect was apprehended while the victim is currently receiving medical treatment and the investigation is ongoing.
The command further disclosed that on 18/10/2024 seven youths were murdered, 1 bodily injury, and 65 cattle missing by yet-to-be-identified assailants at Lokpanta Cattle Market in Umunneochi LGA and Eziama Nunya in Isuikwato LGA, of the state. Upon this report, Police operatives in collaboration with local guards from Seriki Hausa, successfully recovered 56 of the missing cattle stressing that Intensive operations are in progress to track down the remaining cattle and apprehend the assailants.
The police further stated that in October 2024, they received a report from Quick Intervention Unit (QIU) Umuahia that Chinwendu Ifeanyi and her mother, Mary Ifeanyi of Mbarakuma Ubakala in Umuahia South LGA, conspired and sold a one-week-old baby and ran and hid themselves at Isiala-Ngwa.
Upon this report, officers from the above Formation apprehended the two suspects who confessed to the crime. Leveraging credible information, on 16/10/2024, Ikechukwu Assumpta was also arrested in Owerri, Imo state, where one pregnant girl and a six-month-old baby boy were rescued from her house. Noting that, in furtherance of the investigation, Police detectives raided an alleged orphanage home where 16 pregnant girls and a set of twins were rescued. Adding that the case has been transferred to Imo State Police Command for discreet investigation.
The police hinted that on 02/09/2024, received a report from the Rapid Response Squad, that a 7-year-old boy named Martin Onye Ike from Etiti-ulo Isiala in Bende was missing. Upon this report, officers from the above Police Formation arrested Timothy Chukwuemeka ‘ 27yrs, and Valentine Nwaocha 53yrs in connection to the crime. The child was successfully rescued and reunited with his family, noting the suspects are in custody as an investigation is ongoing to ensure other victims are rescued.
