Follow Us on Google
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Abia State Police Command has recovered 28 human skulls and other skeletal remains from suspected criminal camps in forests in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.
The remains were suspected to be those of victims of kidnapping, although the police said investigation was ongoing to establish their identities and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The Command also announced the arrest of four suspects over alleged conspiracy, child stealing and trafficking involving a four-day-old baby.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement, saying operatives, acting on intelligence, raided suspected criminal camps in forests at Umuaku and Nneato, both in Isuochi, at the weekend.
The operation involved personnel of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, Intelligence Response Unit (IRU), Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Isuochi Divisional Police Station.
According to the statement, the suspects fled on sighting the operatives, who subsequently dismantled the criminal camps.
Chinaka said: “A total of 28 human skulls and bones, suspected to be those of kidnap victims, were recovered.”
Other News
She said investigation was ongoing, while surveillance had been intensified in the area as operatives continued efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, the Command said four suspects had been arrested over alleged conspiracy, child stealing and trafficking.
They were identified as Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43.
Chinaka said operatives of the VCRU and Rapid Response Unit, Obehie, arrested the suspects following intelligence on their alleged activities.
“The suspects allegedly conspired to steal a four-day-old baby from her mentally unstable mother and subsequently sold the infant to another person. They were apprehended following diligent police investigation,” she said.
According to her, both the baby and her mother were rescued.
“The mother has been released to her family for proper care and medical attention, while the infant has been handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody,” Chinaka added.
She said the suspects remained in police custody while investigation continued at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), adding that they would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.
