The Abia State Police Command has recovered 28 human skulls and other human bones during raids on suspected kidnappers’ camps in forests around Isuochi and Nneato communities in Umunneochi Local Government Area.
The remains were discovered on Sunday, September 27, during an intelligence-led operation involving the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, Intelligence Response Unit, Rapid Response Squad and Isuochi Police Headquarters.
The operation was conducted under the command’s “Operation No Hideout for Criminal Elements in the State”.
According to the police spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, the operatives raided suspected criminal camps around Umuaku, Isuochi, and another camp at Nneato.
She said the suspects fled before the arrival of the police, leaving the camps deserted.
“Upon arrival of the Command tactical operatives at the camps, the suspects ran. The criminal camps were subsequently scattered,” Chinaka said.
During a search of the camps, the operatives discovered 28 human skulls and other bones, some of which were decomposed.
“Total of twenty-eight (28) human skulls and bones, which we suspect are kidnap victims, were recovered,” the police spokesperson said.
The command said investigations were ongoing to determine the identities of the victims and establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
No arrest has been made, as the suspected criminals reportedly escaped before the police arrived.
Chinaka said the command was continuing to monitor the area and pursuing the suspects.
“Investigation is ongoing, while monitoring of the area continues, and efforts are high to catch the suspects who are on the run,” she said.
Photographs and videos released by the police showed skulls and bones scattered across the forest floor.
The command urged residents to provide information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending suspected criminals operating in the area.
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