For nine victims of kidnapping and human trafficking in Abia State, the past month has been a journey from fear and uncertainty back to freedom.

One was a medical doctor who was allegedly kidnapped in August and rescued less than 24 hours later.

Another was a female university student allegedly abducted at an off-campus lodge in Uturu. A one-year-old girl was also rescued from suspected traffickers who, according to the police, were allegedly attempting to sell her.

These cases formed part of the security operations carried out by the Abia State Police Command since Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, assumed office on August 10.

Presenting his maiden operational assessment in Umuahia on Friday, Afolabi said the command had arrested more than 222 suspects, comprising over 212 males and 10 females, in connection with more than 152 reported cases between August 10 and September 11.

He said several of the suspects had been charged to court, while others were still undergoing investigation.

The commissioner said the command had also rescued nine victims of kidnapping and trafficking, recovered 17 firearms and 101 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, dismantled a car-theft syndicate and destroyed suspected drug dens.

Among the cases highlighted was that of Dr Ikenna Ilo, 44, who was allegedly kidnapped on August 19.
According to the police, operatives traced the vehicle conveying the victim towards Imo State and worked with the Imo State Police Command to secure his release early the following day.

Afolabi said three suspects allegedly involved in the abduction, including those accused of dismantling the victim’s vehicle tracker and some point-of-sale operators allegedly used to receive ransom, were arrested.

In another case, police said a university student was allegedly abducted at an off-campus lodge in Uturu after two suspects, Joseph Uche and Godwin Favour, allegedly entered the premises armed with a locally made firearm.

The victim was allegedly moved to another lodge but was rescued unharmed when police operatives stormed the location. A locally made firearm, an axe and an iPhone 11 Pro Max were reportedly recovered.

The command also said it rescued a one-year, four-month-old girl from suspected traffickers at a hotel in Obikabia, Obingwa, on September 7.

Four suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. Police alleged that the suspects were attempting to traffic the child, who they said was the biological daughter of one of them. The child has since been placed in the care of the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Beyond kidnapping and trafficking, the command said it had intensified its response to violent crimes, cultism, drug abuse and attacks on public infrastructure.

Police said 17 suspects were arrested in four cult-related cases, while weapons were recovered during operations across the state.

In one operation at Okohia, Ukwa West, suspected criminal suspects reportedly fled after encountering police operatives, abandoning a bag containing a locally made pistol, 40 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, four empty magazines, military-pattern clothing and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

The command also reported the arrest of 35 male suspects during a night raid of identified blackspots in Umuahia. Police said substances suspected to be marijuana and other illicit drugs, as well as phones suspected to have been stolen, were recovered.

Several suspected cases of sexual and domestic abuse were also recorded.

Police said Uzoma Uwaeme was arrested after a video allegedly showing the brutalisation of his 13-year-old son went viral.

The child was reportedly rescued and placed in protective custody while the State Criminal Investigation Department continued its investigation.

In separate cases, police arrested suspects over the alleged defilement of children, including a 12-year-old boy, a six-year-old girl and two nine-year-old girls.

The command also said it arrested suspects linked to alleged murder, armed robbery, assault, railway vandalism and the theft of electricity infrastructure.

Among those cases was the alleged killing of an 80-year-old man at Igbere Street, Umuahia. Police said Anthony Chibuike, 37, was arrested in connection with the incident and an English Beretta and a round of ammunition were recovered.

Another suspect, Alozie Henry Enyinnaya Sunday, 47, was arrested over the alleged death of Nnamdi Godfrey, 43, at Umuomayi Village, Obingwa, following a reported physical confrontation.

Police said a machete cut sustained by the victim resulted in severe blood loss and death, while the suspect allegedly fled before he was arrested.

The command also reported the recovery of stolen vehicles, including Toyota Highlander, Toyota Yaris and Toyota Camry cars, as well as motorcycles and tricycles.

Afolabi said the command’s strategy was not limited to arrests and recovery of weapons, but also involved intelligence gathering, crime mapping, community engagement and the training and retraining of personnel.

He appealed to residents to provide timely information to the police, stressing that effective policing depended on cooperation between security agencies and the communities they serve.

He said the command would continue to strengthen police visibility and intelligence-led operations across the state.

According to him, residents have an important role to play in keeping their communities safe by reporting suspicious movements and activities.

“Together, we can keep Abia State safe,” the commissioner said.