Police Recover 28 Human Skulls, Bones From Abia Forest
The Abia State Police Command says it has recovered 28 human skulls and other human bones from suspected criminal camps in forests around Isuochi and Nneato communities in Umunneochi Local Government Area. The command’s spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, said the remains were discovered during an intelligence-led operation on Sunday, September 27, as part of “Operation No Hideout for Criminal Elements in the State.” The operation involved the Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, Intelligence Response Unit, Rapid Response Squad and personnel from the Isuochi Police Headquarters. According to Chinaka, the operatives raided suspected criminal camps around Umuaku and Nneato, but the suspects fled before the arrival of the security teams, leaving the camps deserted. During searches of the locations, the officers recovered 28 human skulls and other bones, some of which were said to be decomposed. The police said the remains were suspected to belong to people who may have been kidnapped and taken into the forest, but stressed that investigations were ongoing.
No arrest has been made in connection with the discovery, as the suspected criminals reportedly escaped during the operation. Chinaka said the police had intensified efforts to locate the suspects while monitoring the area and continuing investigations to establish the identity of the victims and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Photographs and videos released by the command showed skulls and bones scattered on the forest floor at the suspected camps. The police said the operation was part of broader efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts and disrupt kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state. Umunneochi has previously featured in security operations targeting suspected kidnappers, with authorities reporting the discovery of human remains in parts of the area. The command urged residents to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending those responsible for criminal activities in the state.
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