The police in Ebonyi state, Wednesday said they have arrested 131 crime suspects in the past six weeks.
The Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya, stated this during a briefing at the state police headquarters in Abakaliki, the state capital.
She said the police also rescued kidnap victims, recovered firearms, and stolen vehicles within the period.
The police chief said the achievements were through proactive policing, intelligence-led operations, and community engagement.
She added that of the 131 arrested crime suspects, 120 were males while 11 others were females.
She said the suspects were arrested for various offences including kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, and cult-related crimes.
Uche-Anya stated that out of this number, 52 suspects have been charged to court, while others were still under investigation.
The police commissioner further said six vehicles, 15 assorted firearms, and 50 rounds of ammunition were recovered within the period.
Mrs Uche-Anya explained that in one of the separate operations on 14 August, police operatives rescued two kidnapped students unhurt from an uncompleted building in Ikwo local government area of the state.
She said three suspects – James Nweke, Oliver Nwali, and Nwojiji Onyebuchi – were arrested at the scene.
The police commissioner stated further that in another operation, police operatives prevented the ongoing Ihie-Ezza Ekembe crisis from escalating.
She said a suspect, Agboti Kingsley, allegedly hired as a mercenary to instigate violence, was arrested by the operatives.
Mrs Uche-Amya further revealed that operatives from the Special Weapons and Tactics have arrested three suspects in connection with the killing of a resident, Udu Nnachi, during the Ekoli Edda unrest on 9 July.
She identified the arrested suspects as Amarachi Ude, Idika Ama Okoro, and Sunday Ama Olughu. (Premium Times)