The Abia State Police Command has raided suspected criminal camps in the forests of Umuaku and Nneato in Isuochi, Umunneochi Local Council, recovering 28 human skulls and bones.

The command said the remains were suspected to be those of victims of kidnapping.

The operation was part of the ongoing intelligence-led raids under the command’s ‘Operation No Hideout for Criminal Elements in the state.’

According to a statement issued yesterday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, Intelligence Response Unit, Rapid Response Squad and Isuochi Divisional Police Station participated in the operation.

The operatives reportedly combed suspected criminal camps in the forests at Umuaku and another camp at Nneato, both in Isuochi.

The police said the suspects fled upon sighting the tactical teams, leading to the camps being dismantled.

The command added that investigations had commenced to establish the identities of the victims and circumstances surrounding their deaths, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.