Briefing newsmen at the command headquarters, Umuahia, yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Onwumelie, said during the period, an abducted child was rescued, while six locally made single barreled shotguns, 9 locally made double-barreled shotguns, 9 live cartridges and one pump-action gun, as well as 10 vehicles and 8 tricycles were recovered.
Other recoveries by the police include: one bag of substances suspected to be illicit hard drugs, 12 stolen MTN batteries, seven Airtel backup batteries, five railway sleepers and vandalized aluminum panels, armored cable, one dry cell motor battery, one motor jack, iron cutter and other assorted tools.
Chinaka added, “From the month of October, 2023 till date, the command achieved significant milestones in curtailing incidents of armed robbery, kidnapping, vandalism of government property.
“During the period, several suspects were arrested and various exhibits recovered. A good number of cases were charged to various courts, out of which 12 were successfully prosecuted and convictions gained. Such cases includes rape, defilement, stealing, malicious damage, assault, threatening violence, house breaking and murder.
“Under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police and members of his management team, the Abia State Police Command devised and implemented effective administrative and operational initiatives that have yielded remarkable results, thus contributing to the creation of secured environment for socio-economic growth in the state.”
The command also paraded some suspects, including: an 18-year-old Chimaobi Obieh, ‘m,’ and 19-year old Chinemerem Christopher, ‘m.’
The PPRO averred, “On 14/12/2023, at about 0900hrs, a complainant reported at Central Police Station, Umuahia that on 13/12/2023, at about 2000hrs, he returned from the market and while off-loading his goods, a tricycle with three occupants double crossed him and robbed him of one bag of clothes worth N1.8 million, but he was able to recognize the security number of the tricycle.
“On 14/12/2023, officers from the CPS, Umuahia arrested Chimaobi Obieh, ‘m’, 18 years, and Chinemerem Christopher, ‘m,’ 19 years, both of Umuagu, Umuahia of Abia State, inside a tricycle with registration number ABA 528 WZ, along Uzuakoli road Umuahia, in connection with the crime. Upon investigation, the suspects admitted to the crime. Investigation is in progress and the suspects will be charged to court.”
She assured, “We remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all law-abiding residents of the state and will continue to work tirelessly to achieve this goal.”
Addressing the press later, the Commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Onwumelie, appealed to the media to be mindful of crime terminologies, including using the words, ‘yahoo’ instead of ‘fraud’ and ‘gangsterism’ instead of ‘cultism,’ disclosing that the command is liaising with the state National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to tackle the menace of violent crimes induced by the use of illicit and hard drugs.
On the yuletide, CP Onwumelie assured Abians that his command has put all possible measures in place to make the state safe, adding, “We will do our best to ensure that Abia is safe for all.”
He encouraged all to feel free to conduct their businesses “within the ambits of the law.”
