Our Recent Operations Reduced Robbery, Kidnapping, Child Trafficking, Others In Abia – CP Onwuemelie (Photos, Video)

Abia State police command has taken a drastic measure to curtail the activities of criminal elements in the state with massive breakthroughs recorded in recent times.

Parading eight suspects at the command’s headquarters in Umuahia on Friday, spokesperson of the command, ASP Maureen Chioma Chinaka said at least 162 Suspects were also arrested across the state and currently undergoing prosecution.

Their offences border in arm robbery, kidnapping, child trafficking, drug trafficking and other crimes.

Detailing the breakdown of the suspects, she said they include, 142 male suspects and 20 female suspects apprehended in various operations.

She added that command successfully rescued six children and four kidnapped victims.

Additionally, it also recovered 11 locally made single-barrel shotguns, five double-barrel shotguns,13 live cartridges, 10 expended cartridges, 7 vehicles, 1 Auto Rickshaw and 3 motorcycles.

Others include, recovery of substances suspected to be Cannabis sativa (Indian hemp)/substances suspected to be illicit hard drugs.

She added, that other recoveries made include, railroad sleepers, 9 mobile phones, 1 police warrant card and 1 police camouflage cap.

Other recovered items include; 1 guarantor form, 25 pieces of Biafra currency, 4 axes, 2 saw blades, 1 iron cutter, some Mozambique currencies, 1 small stove, 5 transformer accessories, some plastic bottles, a bag of sachet hot drinks, 40 litres of palm oil, 1 lighter, 2 gas cylinders, armoured cables, 2 transformer compressors with damaged blades, 2 stainless axe, 1 dagger, 2 bunch of keys, a knife, Iron rods, 2 iron hand trucks, 1 pack of cigarettes, 3 cutlasses, 1 ladies bag, broken solar panel, a ritual totem, 6 shovels, 1 hammer, 1 torchlight, an empty electricity box, 1 pump action, a carton of roll bond King size, some vandalized cable wires and others

She added, “A notable success in the fight against child trafficking occurred on March 22, 2024. At 2 PM, police and a home security in the Uzuakoli division apprehended four suspects involved in child trafficking. The suspects included Gift Ernest (17, from Akwa Ibom, residing in Amankwo), Blessing Chidiebere (from Uzuakoli), Chinyere Onyebuchi (22), and Amaka Chisom (a mother of two from Mbom Ibeku, Umuahia, residing in Amankwo). These suspects have since been charged to court.”

She said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, addressed the press, reflecting on the recent discourse comparing Nigeria’s protests to that in Kenya.

She quoted him as saying, “Some have said they want to have the Kenya type of protest. It is curious that Nigeria is now learning from Kenya. Nigeria has been a leader in Africa for a long time, so Kenya should learn from Nigeria. We can’t go back to copy Kenya; we should be moving ahead.”

“He recalled the 2020 EndSARS protests, which, though intended to be peaceful, ended violently.

“We should learn from the mistakes of EndSARS. What happened in Kenya is not a good thing, and we should not be learning from a bad thing. While the right to protest is guaranteed by our constitution, there are indications that this protest may not be peaceful. We encourage youths, influencers, and community leaders to engage with the necessary bodies on matters of interest.”

CP Onwuemelie also debunked a petition written against him, stressing the importance of following proper channels. “The standard practice for a petition is to write it, sign it, and submit it to the concerned authority, allowing the person petitioned against to address the matter. This is not street talk.

ASP Chinaka assured the public that the command remains dedicated to combating crime and fostering a secure environment in Abia State. With continuous efforts and community cooperation, they aim to achieve even greater success in their mission to protect the lives and property of the citizens.