The Abia State Police Command has recovered 28 human skulls and other human bones from suspected criminal camps in forests around Isuochi and Nneato in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.
The remains were discovered during an intelligence-led operation conducted on Sunday, September 27, as part of the command’s “Operation No Hideout for Criminal Elements in the State.”
Police spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, said operatives from the Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, Intelligence Response Unit, Rapid Response Squad and Isuochi Police Headquarters participated in the operation.
According to the command, the suspected occupants of the camps fled when they noticed the arrival of the security operatives, leaving the hideouts deserted.
During a search of the camps, the officers found 28 human skulls and other bones. Police said they suspect the remains may belong to people who were kidnapped and taken into the forests, but investigations are ongoing to establish their identities and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Some of the remains were reportedly decomposed, while no arrests have been made in connection with the discovery because the suspects escaped before the police arrived.
The Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, said efforts had been intensified to track down the fleeing suspects and urged residents to provide security agencies with credible information on suspicious activities.
