Ebonyi police arrest 620 suspects, recover 31 firearms, 33 ammunition

The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested 620 suspects in connection with 372 reported criminal cases and recovered 31 assorted firearms and 33 rounds of ammunition between April and September 2026.

The Command also recovered three vehicles and charged 309 suspects to court in connection with 162 cases during the period under review.

Hope Urunwa Okafor, Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Abakaliki, where he highlighted the operational achievements of the Command.

Okafor said the Command had intensified intelligence-led policing, surveillance and community engagement to tackle kidnapping, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, murder and other violent crimes across the state.

He said the Command had also sustained engagements with farmers, herders, traditional rulers and community leaders to prevent land-related disputes from escalating into violence, particularly during the farming season.

According to him, the strategies adopted by the Command had helped to drastically reduce security skirmishes across the state.

Giving details of some of the major operations, the CP said police operatives arrested a suspect, Uzor Ifeanyi, on June 2, 2026, around Hausa Quarters Flyover and recovered a locally made pistol from him.

He said another operation conducted on June 11 at Onunkwuda Market Square, Onueke, Ezza South Local Government Area, led to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of two pump-action guns, one locally made single-barrel gun, three machetes, four live cartridges and assorted illicit drugs.

Okafor further disclosed that police operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a Beretta pistol at Onuebonyi-Eziagu in Ishielu Local Government Area on July 6, following credible intelligence on the suspected storage of firearms.

In another operation, the Command arrested a suspected firearm holder, Ishali Onuabuchi, who allegedly led the police to the residence of Ekenedirichukwu Oge, where a locally made pistol, short guns, three live cartridges and charms were recovered.

The CP said further investigation led to the identification of five other suspected members of the syndicate, adding that efforts were ongoing to establish their individual roles before prosecution.

On August 1, police operatives also raided a suspected criminal hideout in Nkomoro Community, Ezza North LGA, following reports of sporadic shooting during a funeral ceremony.

According to Okafor, an ash-coloured Honda Accord was recovered during the operation, while 19 voter cards and two mobile phones were found inside the vehicle.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the Command uncovered a case of alleged self-kidnapping and extortion involving one Ajah Ikechukwu of Ngwogwo Community, Ishiagu, in Ivo LGA.

He said the suspect allegedly went into hiding and demanded ₦25 million from his family as ransom, after which the family transferred ₦1 million into his account.

Okafor said diligent investigation led to his arrest, adding that the suspect confessed to staging the purported kidnapping and making the ransom demand.

On kidnapping, the CP said police operatives rescued a woman, Chigbo Lucy, after suspected kidnappers intercepted her and were later engaged around Ebebe Junction.

He said one of the suspects, identified as Stephen Job, was arrested, while a locally made pistol, 13 live cartridges, a black mask, black gloves and assorted charms were recovered from his residence.

The Commissioner further announced the arrest of two additional suspects, Friday Nwafor and Ozomena Pius, also known as “Oxygen,” over the murder of the Traditional Ruler of Ishinkwo Autonomous Community in Onicha LGA, His Royal Highness Josephat Ikegwu.

He said the suspects were arrested at their hideout in Ishiagu, Awka South LGA of Anambra State, following sustained intelligence-driven operations.

The CP also disclosed that the Command had arrested a man, Okechukwu Emmanuel, over alleged cyberbullying, cyberstalking, threat to life and extortion.

He said the suspect allegedly recorded intimate videos of his former girlfriend without her consent and threatened to publish them online unless her father paid ₦17 million.

According to him, the suspect allegedly sent the videos to the victim’s father and posted one on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Okafor said the suspect was tracked and arrested following investigation and would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.

2027 Elections

The Commissioner assured residents that the Command was fully prepared for the 2027 electioneering activities, having successfully provided security during the August 22, 2026 local government elections in the state.

He noted that campaigns for governorship candidates would commence on September 9, urging political actors, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and obey the law.

“The Command remains apolitical, impartial and professional in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities,” Okafor said.

He warned that the police would not tolerate violence, intimidation, harassment, hate speech, disorderly conduct or any action capable of undermining the electoral process.

The CP also appealed to residents to support the police with timely and credible information on criminal activities, urging them to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or the Command’s control room on 07064515001.

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