Abia Police Record Crime Reduction, Arrest 809 Suspects

The Abia State Police Command has reported a significant decline in criminal activities across the state, attributing the improvement in public safety to sustained, intelligence-driven security operations.

The Commissioner of Police, Danladi Issa, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists in Umuahia. He said coordinated and proactive policing strategies had yielded notable successes in crime prevention and law enforcement.

According to Issa, between January 2025 and date, the command recorded 438 criminal cases and arrested 809 suspects for various offences. He added that more than 200 of the suspects have been successfully prosecuted and convicted, receiving different jail terms.

The police boss further revealed that operatives recovered 88 assorted firearms during the period under review. The recovered weapons include AK-47 rifles, other rifles and pistols, alongside 435 rounds of ammunition and cartridges.

Issa also said intelligence-led operations led to the rescue of 33 trafficked and stolen children from different parts of the country. In addition, the command handled over 30 cases of defilement, with all suspects arraigned in court.

He noted that cases involving violence against women and children were diligently prosecuted, while several encounters with non-state actors resulted in their neutralisation and the recovery of additional arms.

Ahead of the yuletide season, the Commissioner announced the activation of the Police Operation Order for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, which commenced on December 15. He said officers have been deployed for intensified patrols, stop-and-search operations and surveillance at strategic and vulnerable locations across the state to ensure a peaceful festive period.

Issa appealed to residents to continue cooperating with the police by providing timely and credible information, stressing that security is a shared responsibility. He also warned criminals and non-state actors to desist from crime, noting that the command has both overt and covert operations in place, leaving no hiding place for offenders in Abia State.

The Commissioner commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for his consistent support to the command, citing assistance in logistics, payment of officers’ allowances, provision of vehicles and a conducive working environment.

However, he appealed for additional support, particularly in the area of vehicles and equipment, to further strengthen security operations in the state.