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• How police gave criminals bloody nose, recovered arms, charms from 699 suspects in Ebonyi
From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State police command has recorded a major breakthrough in its efforts towards combating crime, maintaining public safety and ensuring peace and security across the state, which led to the arrest of 699 criminal suspects across the state from April to September this year.
The command also recovered 31 assorted firearms, 33 rounds of ammunition of different kinds, charms and other weapons of crime from the criminal elements. The suspects who comprised 660 males and 39 females, were arrested in connection with 372 criminal cases.
Among those arrested is one Ajah Ikechukwu in Ngwogwo community, Ishiagu, Ivo local government area of the state for allegedly kidnapping himself. The suspect was said to have demanded N25million ransom from his family after the self-kidnap and settled for N1milion, which was allegedly paid into his account by the family.
The state Commissioner of Police, Hope Urunwa Okafor, told journalists at the command headquarters in Abakaliki, capital of the state, that the suspect contacted his family members after the incident for the N25million ransom but he later collected N1million.
She said: “He provided his bank account number into which his family transferred N1,000,000 (one million naira). Following diligent investigation and intelligence gathering, the suspect was eventually arrested.
“During interrogation, he confessed to having orchestrated the purported kidnap and ransom demand. The command reiterates that the deliberate staging of kidnappings and the extortion of unsuspecting family members under false pretences are serious criminal offences and will be investigated and prosecuted.”
Okafor revealed that the command received a distress call from a police officer, who reported that he had been attacked by three armed men while returning from work in his vehicle. She said the hoodlums accosted the policeman and attempted to force open his vehicle but were unsuccessful.
“They subsequently fled the scene upon sighting approaching police operatives. The same hoodlums later kidnapped one Chigbo Lucy but were intercepted around Ebebe Junction. The victim was rescued unhurt, while the suspects fled into the surrounding area.
“One of the suspects, identified as Stephen Job, was subsequently arrested. During the course of the investigation, police operatives conducted a search of his residence and recovered the following items: – One locally made pistol; 13 live cartridges, one black mask, one pair of black gloves and assorted charms.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the other fleeing suspects and bring them to justice,” she said.
The CP said operatives of the command, acting on reliable intelligence that one Ishali Onuabuchi was in possession of a firearm, proceeded to his residence and arrested him. According to her, during the operation, the suspect led the operatives to the residence of Ekenedirichukwu Oge, where one locally made pistol, short guns, three live cartridges and charms were recovered from him.
She revealed that the suspects are currently assisting the command with investigation, with a view to establishing their respective roles and arranging them in court upon conclusion of the investigation.
“The command has continued to proactively address recurring security challenges, particularly those arising from land-related disputes during the farming season.
“In this regard, we have sustained engagements with relevant stakeholders, including farmers, herders, traditional rulers, community leaders and other critical stakeholders, with a view to resolving disputes amicably and preventing them from escalating into violence.
“We have also intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering around identified flashpoints across the state, while deploying personnel strategically to such locations to forestall breaches of peace and ensure the safety of residents. These strategies have helped to drastically reduce the number of skirmishes encountered in the state,” Okafor stated.
The CP disclosed that while on routine patrol around Hausa Quarters Flyover, operatives of the command observed one Uzor Ifeanyi carrying a suspicious bag and that upon stopping and searching him, the operatives recovered one locally made pistol from him
She further revealed that following complaints concerning the activities of hoodlums terrorizing residents around Onueke, Ezza South local government area, the command deployed covert operatives to Onunkwuda market square in the area.
Okafor said some suspects, including Ngwuata Henry Chikaodili, Utobo Maduabuchi Fabian, Chukwuebuka Nwokpu, Ogba Okwudili and Eze Uba Kenneth
She listed items recovered from the hoodlums as two pump-action guns, one locally made single-barrel gun, three machetes, four live cartridges and assorted illicit drugs.
“On July 6, 2026, following credible information regarding a suspected location where firearms were being kept, operatives of the command proceeded to Onuebonyi-Eziagu in Ishielu LGA. The operation resulted in the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one empty magazine and one Beretta pistol.
“The recovery is a significant boost to the Command’s efforts to rid the state of illegal firearms and prevent such weapons from being used to perpetrate violent crimes.
“Operatives of the Command, acting on reliable intelligence gathered that Ishali Onuabuchi was in possession of a firearm, proceeded to his residence and arrested him. During the operation, the suspect led the operatives to the residence of Ekenedirichukwu Oge, where the following items were recovered: one locally made pistol, short guns, three live cartridges and charms.
“Further investigation led to the identification of other suspected members of the syndicate. The suspects are currently assisting the command with investigation, with a view to establishing their respective roles and arraigning them in court upon conclusion of the investigation,” she said.
According to her, the command had earlier arrested and arraigned six suspects in connection with the murder of the traditional ruler of Ishinkwo autonomous community in Onicha local government area, His Royal Highness Josephat Ikegwu.
“In continuation of the investigation, operatives of the command, on August 28, 2026, arrested two additional suspects, identified as Friday Nwafor and Ozoemena Pius, also known as “Oxygen,” both from Onoko Village, Ishinkwo autonomous community, Onicha LGA. The suspects were allegedly involved in the murder of the traditional ruler.
“The suspects were arrested at their hideout in Ishiagu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, following sustained intelligence-driven operations by the command. They have been arraigned in court.
“The arrests further demonstrate the Command’s unwavering commitment to bringing all suspects involved in crimes to justice, regardless of where they may attempt to hide.
“The Command warns criminals and their collaborators that there will be no safe haven for those who engage in kidnapping, murder, or other violent crimes. The Command will continue to deploy intelligence-led policing and sustained operations to identify, arrest and prosecute criminal elements within the State,” the CP declared.
She disclosed that on August 31, 2026, the command received a petition bordering on cyberbullying, cyberstalking and threat to life from a female victim, who alleged that her former boyfriend, one Okechukwu Emmanuel, secretly recorded videos of her during an intimate encounter without her consent and subsequently threatened to publish the videos on the internet.
“The suspect carried out his threat by sending the videos to the victim’s father and further posting the video on X with the alleged intention of intimidating, harassing and humiliating the victim.
“He also demanded the sum of N17 million from the victim’s father, threatening that failure to pay would result in the circulation of the videos to various blogs and other online platforms.
“Following a diligent investigation, operatives of the Command tracked and arrested the suspect. During interrogation, he admitted to sending the intimate video to the victim’s father. The suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
“The command reiterates that the non-consensual recording, distribution or publication of intimate images or videos, as well as the use of such materials to threaten, intimidate, extort or harass another person, constitutes a serious offence and will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” she vowed.
Okafor volunteered that the command was fully prepared for the ongoing electioneering activities, including campaigns and urged all political actors, candidates, and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and strictly adhere to the provisions of the law throughout the campaign period and the elections.
She said the command remains apolitical, impartial and professional in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities, warning that it will not tolerate acts of violence, intimidation, harassment, disorderly conduct, hate speech, or any other actions capable of threatening public peace or undermining the electoral process.
“Anyone found violating the law, regardless of status, will be dealt with in accordance with the law. All stakeholders are, therefore, enjoined to play their part in ensuring a peaceful, credible and orderly electioneering process in the state,” she said.
The CP regretted that despite the peace accord signed by various political parties to ensure peaceful conduct of the 2027 general election, some politicians are making inciting and hate speeches in the state.
She said: “The conduct of the just concluded local government and councilorship elections in the state is a testament to our readiness to ensure that peace continues to reign in the state. There is a reason this state is noted for being one of the most peaceful states, not just in the South East, but in the country.
“I need to remind members of the public that this Command is blessed with a bunch of disciplined, dedicated and courageous officers, who have been working tirelessly, assiduously to maintain the peace. A couple of weeks ago, I personally called for a meeting with all the representatives of all the political parties; they were all here. It was a robust meeting.
“And they were enjoined to sign the peace pact. We even went further to ask them to talk to their members and their supporters.
“So, we are here condemning every statement in the form of hate speech, making inciting comments. We will deal with it appropriately, that I can assure you.”
She revealed that the Command recovered many Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from some criminal elements in the state in a gun duel.
She said: “The hoodlums fled into the bush but we are sure, we are on the lookout, we are in the manhunt for them because one of them was actually injured because we saw the blood stains.
“When they scampered into the bushes, this particular vehicle you are seeing here, was searched thoroughly.
“If you look at the vehicle, you will even see bullet marks and that’s where these PVCs were recovered from. Like I said, we are still on the manhunt, it is intensifying and we are not resting on our oars until we get them.”
