The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested 699 suspects, comprising 660 males and 39 females, in connection with 372 reported criminal cases between April and September 2026.
Key Highlights
- Ebonyi Police arrest 699 suspects in six months.
- 309 suspects charged to court over 162 cases.
- Police recover 31 assorted firearms and 33 rounds of ammunition.
- Suspected self-kidnapper allegedly demands ₦25m ransom from family.
- Police rescue kidnapped victim and arrest suspected gang member.
- Two additional suspects arrested over alleged murder of traditional ruler.
- Police arrest suspect over alleged cyberstalking, extortion and distribution of intimate videos.
- Command warns political actors against violence ahead of 2027 elections.
Addressing journalists at the Command headquarters in Abakaliki on Thursday, the 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 also recovered 31 assorted firearms, 33 rounds of ammunition of different calibres and three vehicles during the period under review.
Police Recover Firearms, Arrest Suspected Criminals
CP Okafor said that on June 2, 2026, operatives on routine patrol around Hausa Quarters Flyover stopped and searched a man identified as Uzor Ifeanyi after he was allegedly observed carrying a suspicious bag.
According to her, the search led to the recovery of a locally made pistol, and the suspect was subsequently charged to court.
The commissioner said that on June 11, following complaints about hoodlums allegedly terrorising residents around Onueke, the Command deployed covert operatives to Onunkwuda Market Square in Ezza South Local Government Area.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Ngwuata Henry Chikaodili, Utobo Maduabuchi Fabian, Chukwuebuka Nwokpu, Ogba Okwudili and Eze Uba Kenneth.
Items allegedly 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 were subsequently charged to court, according to the police.
On July 6, operatives acting on intelligence about a suspected location where firearms were allegedly being kept proceeded to Onuebonyi-Eziagu in Ishielu Local Government Area.
The operation led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a Beretta pistol.
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Okafor described the recovery as a significant boost to efforts to remove illegal firearms from the state and prevent their use in violent crimes.
Police Arrest Suspected Self-Kidnapper Over ₦25m Ransom Demand
The police commissioner also disclosed that on August 10, one Ajah Ikechukwu, a native of Ngwogwo Community, Ishiagu, in Ivo Local Government Area, allegedly went into hiding and falsely claimed to have been kidnapped.
According to Okafor, the suspect contacted his family and demanded ₦25 million as ransom, while providing a bank account into which his relatives transferred ₦1 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 said.
The commissioner described staged kidnappings and the extortion of families under false pretences as serious criminal offences, saying such cases would be investigated and prosecuted.
Kidnapped Woman Rescued, Suspect Arrested
Okafor said the Command received a distress call on August 16 from a police officer who reported being attacked by three armed men while returning from work in his vehicle.
She said the hoodlums allegedly attempted to force open the officer’s vehicle but fled after sighting approaching police operatives.
According to her, the same suspects later kidnapped a woman identified as Chigbo Lucy but were intercepted around Ebebe Junction.
The victim was rescued unhurt, while the suspects fled into the surrounding area.
One of the suspects, identified as Stephen Job, was subsequently arrested. A search of his residence allegedly led to the recovery of a locally made pistol, 13 live cartridges, a black mask, a pair of black gloves and assorted charms.
Police said efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.
Two More Arrested Over Traditional Ruler’s Murder
The Commissioner also disclosed that the Command had earlier arrested and charged six suspects over the alleged murder of the Traditional Ruler of Ishinkwo Autonomous Community in Onicha Local Government Area, His Royal Highness Josephat Ikegwu.
She said further investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects, identified as Friday Nwafor and Ozomena Pius, also known as “Oxygen”, on August 28.
According to the police, the suspects were arrested at their hideout in Ishiagu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, following sustained intelligence-driven operations.
Okafor said the suspects had been arraigned in court.
Police Arrest Suspect Over Alleged Cyberstalking, Extortion
The commissioner also disclosed that the Command received a petition on August 31 from a woman alleging cyberbullying, cyberstalking and threats to life against her former boyfriend, Okechukwu Emmanuel.
The woman alleged that Emmanuel secretly recorded intimate videos of her without her consent and threatened to publish them online.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly sent the videos to the victim’s father and posted them on X, formerly Twitter.
He also allegedly demanded ₦17 million from the victim’s father, threatening to distribute the videos to blogs and other online platforms if the money was not paid.
Okafor said police operatives tracked and arrested the suspect, who allegedly admitted sending the intimate video to the victim’s father.
She said the suspect would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
The commissioner warned that the non-consensual recording, distribution or publication of intimate images or videos, particularly for intimidation, extortion or harassment, constitutes a serious offence.
Ebonyi Police Assure Residents of 2027 Election Security
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, CP Okafor said the Command was fully prepared for ongoing electioneering activities, including political campaigns.
She urged political actors, candidates and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and comply with the law throughout the campaign period and during the elections.
Okafor said the Command remained apolitical, impartial and professional in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
She warned that the police would not tolerate violence, intimidation, harassment, disorderly conduct, hate speech or other acts capable of threatening public peace or undermining the electoral process.
She assured residents that anyone found violating the law, regardless of status, would be dealt with according to the law.
The commissioner further said the Command would continue to adopt intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing strategies to tackle emerging security threats and protect lives and property across Ebonyi State.
