Major Breakthrough in Abia: Police Arrest Uratta Station Attackers, Rescue 10 Stolen Children, and Recover 15 Firearms

The Abia State Police Command has scored a major victory against criminal networks across the state, arresting key suspects behind the October 17 attack on the Uratta Divisional Police Headquarters, rescuing 10 stolen children, and recovering 15 firearms alongside 30 stolen vehicles.

Addressing journalists on Friday, November 6, 2026, Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Afolabi Wilfred, detailed the major operational achievements recorded by the command during sustained operations from September 11, 2026, to date.

Key Suspect Behind Uratta Station Attack Apprehended

Following the October 17, 2026 assault on the Uratta Divisional Police Headquarters, police operatives—working in close synergy with sister security agencies and acting on actionable intelligence—apprehended several gang members responsible for the raid. Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the arrested suspects confessed to leading the tactical strike team that carried out the attack. CP Wilfred assured the public that a discreet investigation remains underway to track down remaining accomplices and ensure all perpetrators face full prosecution.

Anti-Kidnapping and Tactical Raids Across Abia

The commissioner highlighted several high-profile tactical operations conducted across the state by specialized police units. In Ubakala, Umuahia South, operatives raided a hideout on October 25, arresting a suspect named Osita alongside 30-year-old Chisholm Okechukwu, who specialized in supplying illegal ammunition. The raid yielded double-barrelled and single-barrelled guns with live cartridges. In a separate operation in Osisioma Ngwa on October 28, another suspect, Iheanyi (38), was apprehended with a double-barrelled shotgun.

Efforts against campus cultism also yielded results on October 31, when police arrested Vincent Chidera (27) and Onwachukwu Ernest (25) for robbing Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU) students of their phones and valuables at gunpoint. One suspect confessed to membership in the Black Axe Confraternity.

Child Stealing Ring Smashed and Vehicle Syndicate Dismantled

The command made significant progress in safeguarding families by rescuing 10 stolen children across targeted operations. On October 11, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested 38-year-old Chinwe and an accomplice for conspiring to steal two children—seven-year-old Chiamaka Chikeze and nine-month-old Goodluck Chikeze—from their home. Both children have since been safely reunited with their parents while the suspects face court charges.

On the same day, police dismantled a five-man vehicle theft syndicate involving Chimezie Moses (43) and Kelechi Matthew Onoegu (40), recovering a stolen Toyota Corolla.

Sustained Security Achievements and Reduced Crime Rates

Overall, the command recorded 211 criminal and road incident cases between September 11 and November 6, 2026, resulting in the arrest of 109 suspects (89 males and 20 females). Beyond the 10 rescued children, police operations led to the recovery of:

• 15 firearms, 60 rounds of live ammunition, and 30 stolen vehicles.

CP Wilfred noted that data analysis confirms a significant decline in criminal activity across Abia State due to proactive policing and intelligence-led raids. He urged residents to stay vigilant and support security agencies with timely information to maintain peace across the state.