The Abia State Police Command says its operatives have recovered 28 human skulls and other bones during a raid on suspected criminal camps in forests around Isuochi and Nneato communities in Umunneochi Local Government Area.
The command’s spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement on Monday following the security operation conducted on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
According to Chinaka, the operation was carried out under the command’s “Operation No Hideout for Criminal Elements in the State,” an initiative aimed at flushing suspected criminals out of their hideouts.
She said personnel from the Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, Intelligence Response Unit, Rapid Response Squad and Isuochi Police Headquarters took part in the operation.
Chinaka said the operatives conducted intelligence-led raids on suspected criminal camps around Umuaku and another location in Nneato, forcing the suspects to flee before the arrival of the police.
The camps were subsequently searched, leading to the discovery of human remains.
“Total of twenty-eight (28) human skulls and bones, which we suspect are kidnap victims, were recovered,” Chinaka said.
She added that some of the remains were already decomposed.
The police spokesperson said the command suspects that the remains may belong to people who were abducted and taken into the forest, but stressed that investigations are still ongoing to establish their identities and circumstances surrounding their deaths.
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No arrest has been reported in connection with the discovery, as the suspects reportedly escaped before the security operatives arrived.
Chinaka said the police had intensified efforts to track down those responsible, adding that surveillance of the area would continue.
“Investigation is ongoing, while monitoring of the area continues, and efforts are high to catch the suspects who are on the run,” she said.
The police also released photographs and videos showing skulls and bones scattered within the forest.
The command said the operation was part of its broader effort to dismantle criminal camps and tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes across Abia State.
The police urged residents to provide useful information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending suspected criminals operating in the area.