Police nab 699 suspects over alleged self-kidnapping, firearms, others in Ebonyi

The Police in Ebonyi State have disclosed the arrest of 699 suspects, comprising 660 males and 39 females, in connection with 372 reported cases between April and September 2026.

Addressing newsmen at the Command’s headquarters in Abakaliki on Thursday, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, said 309 suspects had been charged to court in connection with 162 cases, while investigations into the remaining cases were ongoing.

She said the Command recovered 31 assorted firearms, 33 rounds of ammunition of different calibres and three vehicles during the period under review.

CP Okafor narrated that on June 2, 2026, while on routine patrol around Hausa Quarters Flyover, operatives of the Command observed one Uzor Ifeanyi carrying a suspicious bag.

“Upon stopping and searching him, the operatives recovered one locally made pistol from his possession. The suspect has since been charged to court.”

According to her, on June 11, 2026, following complaints about the activities of hoodlums allegedly terrorising residents around Onueke, the Command deployed covert operatives to Onunkwuda Market Square, Onueke, in Ezza South Local Government Area.

“The operation led to the arrest of Ngwuata Henry Chikaodili, Utobo Maduabuchi Fabian, Chukwuebuka Nwokpu, Ogba Okwudili and Eze Uba Kenneth.”

She said items recovered from the suspects included two pump-action guns, one locally made single-barrel gun, three machetes, four live cartridges and assorted illicit drugs.

The suspects, she said, have also been charged to court.

On July 6, 2026, following credible information about a suspected location where firearms were allegedly being kept, operatives of the Command proceeded to Onuebonyi-Eziagu in Ishielu Local Government Area.

The operation resulted in the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one empty magazine and one Beretta pistol.

She stated that the recovery was a significant boost to the Command’s efforts to rid the state of illegal firearms and prevent such weapons from being used to perpetrate violent crimes.

CP Okafor further said that, acting on reliable intelligence that one Ishali Onuabuchi was in possession of a firearm, operatives proceeded to his residence and arrested him.

“During the operation, the suspect led the operatives to the residence of Ekenedirichukwu Oge, where one locally made pistol, short guns, three live cartridges and charms were recovered.”

The police commissioner stated that further investigation led to the identification of other suspected members of the syndicate, including Obazi Chukwunonso, Chikaodiri Itumo, Monday Igboke, Uga Chibuike Elom and Obasi Onuachi.

She said the suspects were assisting the Command with its investigation, with a view to establishing their respective roles and arraigning them in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The Ebonyi State Police boss disclosed that on August 1, 2026, following credible intelligence, operatives of the Command raided a suspected criminal hideout in Nkomoro Community, Ezza North Local Government Area.

She noted that the operation followed reports of the activities of hoodlums who allegedly engaged in sporadic shooting during a funeral ceremony in the community.

During the raid, operatives recovered an ash-coloured Honda Accord.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 19 voter cards and two mobile phones.

The Command is conducting further investigation to establish the ownership and circumstances surrounding the vehicle, as well as the significance of the items recovered from it.

CP Okafor also revealed that on August 10, 2026, one Ajah Ikechukwu, a native of Ngwogwo Community, Ishiagu, in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, allegedly went into hiding and falsely claimed to have been kidnapped.

She said the suspect subsequently contacted his family members and demanded N25 million as ransom, adding that he also provided his bank account number into which his family transferred N1 million.

“Following diligent investigation and intelligence gathering, the suspect was eventually arrested. During interrogation, he confessed to having orchestrated the purported kidnapping and ransom demand.”

She expressed concern over the deliberate staging of kidnappings and the extortion of unsuspecting family members under false pretences, describing such acts as serious criminal offences that would be investigated and prosecuted.

She further disclosed that on August 16, 2026, the Command received a distress call from a police officer who reported that he had been attacked by three armed men while returning from work in his vehicle.

“The hoodlums accosted him and attempted to force open his vehicle but were unsuccessful. They subsequently fled the scene upon sighting approaching police operatives.”

She said the same hoodlums later kidnapped one Chigbo Lucy but were intercepted around Ebebe Junction.

The victim was rescued unhurt, while the suspects fled into the surrounding area.

According to her, one of the suspects, identified as Stephen Job, was subsequently arrested. During the investigation, police operatives conducted a search of his residence and recovered one locally made pistol, 13 live cartridges, one black mask, one pair of black gloves and assorted charms.

She said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the other fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.

CP Okafor stated that men of the Command had earlier arrested and charged six suspects in connection with the murder of the Traditional Ruler of Ishinkwo Autonomous Community in Onicha Local Government Area, His Royal Highness Josephat Ikegwu.

She said that, in continuation of the investigation, operatives of the Command, on August 28, 2026, arrested two additional suspects identified as Friday Nwafor and Ozomena Pius, also known as “Oxygen”, both from Onoko Village, Ishinkwo Autonomous Community, Onicha LGA.

“The suspects were allegedly involved in the murder of the traditional ruler. The suspects were arrested at their hideout in Isiagu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, following sustained intelligence-driven operations by the Command. They have been arraigned in court.

“The arrests further demonstrate the Command’s unwavering commitment to bringing all suspects involved in crimes to justice, regardless of where they may attempt to hide.”

CP Okafor also revealed that the Command received a petition on August 31, 2026, over alleged cyberbullying, cyberstalking and threat to life from a female victim.

The victim alleged that her former boyfriend, one Okechukwu Emmanuel, secretly recorded videos of her during an intimate encounter without her consent and subsequently threatened to publish the videos on the internet.

She said the suspect carried out his threat by sending the videos to the victim’s father and further posting them on X, formerly Twitter, allegedly with the intention of intimidating, harassing and humiliating the victim.

She pointed out that the suspect also demanded N17 million from the victim’s father, threatening that failure to pay would result in the circulation of the videos to various blogs and other online platforms.

“Following a diligent investigation, operatives of the Command tracked and arrested the suspect.

“During interrogation, he admitted to sending the intimate video to the victim’s father. The suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”

She reiterated that the non-consensual recording, distribution or publication of intimate images or videos, as well as the use of such materials to threaten, intimidate, extort or harass another person, constitutes a serious offence and would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

On the preparedness of the Command ahead of the 2027 general elections, CP Okafor said the Command was fully prepared for the ongoing electioneering activities, including campaigns for presidential candidates and others.

She urged all political actors, candidates and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and strictly adhere to the provisions of the law throughout the campaign period and during the elections.

CP Okafor said the Command remained apolitical, impartial and professional in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

She added that the Command would not tolerate acts of violence, intimidation, harassment, disorderly conduct, hate speech or any other actions capable of threatening public peace or undermining the electoral process.

She said anyone found violating the law, regardless of status, would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The commissioner advised all stakeholders to play their part in ensuring a peaceful, credible and orderly electioneering process in the state.

She further maintained that the Command remained resolute in its commitment to protecting lives and property, preventing crime and maintaining peace across the state.

She assured the people that the Command would continue to adopt and adapt its intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing strategies to tackle emerging security threats.

Police nab 699 suspects over alleged self-kidnapping, firearms, others in Ebonyi