The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested 699 suspects in connection with 372 reported criminal cases and recovered 31 assorted firearms, 33 rounds of ammunition and three vehicles in sustained operations against crime and criminality across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Hope Okafor, disclosed this on Thursday in Abakaliki during a press briefing on the command's operational achievements from April 2026 to date.
Okafor said the suspects comprised 660 males and 39 females, adding that 309 of them had been charged to court in connection with 162 cases, while investigations into other cases were ongoing.
She attributed the achievements to intelligence-led operations, strategic deployment of personnel, surveillance and collaboration with communities and other stakeholders.
According to her, the command had also intensified peace-building efforts in response to land-related disputes, particularly during the farming season.
"We have sustained engagements with relevant stakeholders, including farmers, herders, traditional rulers, community leaders and other critical stakeholders, with a view to resolving disputes amicably and preventing them from escalating into violence," she said.
The commissioner said the command had intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering around identified security flashpoints, adding that the measures had "drastically reduced the number of skirmishes" recorded across the state.
On the recovery of firearms, Okafor said police operatives on July 6, acting on credible intelligence, recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a Beretta pistol at Onuebonyi-Eziagu in Ishielu Local Government Area.
She described the recovery as "a significant boost to the Command's efforts to rid the State of illegal firearms and prevent such weapons from being used to perpetrate violent crimes."
She also disclosed that on June 2, police operatives on routine patrol around Hausa Quarters Flyover arrested one Uzor Ifeanyi, from whom a locally made pistol was recovered.
Similarly, five suspects were arrested on June 11 following complaints about alleged hoodlums terrorising residents around Onueke, Ezza South Local Government Area.
According to the CP, two pump-action guns, one locally made single-barrel gun, three machetes, four live cartridges and assorted illicit drugs were recovered from the suspects.
She said the suspects had been charged to court.
The commissioner further disclosed that police operatives arrested several suspects in connection with alleged unlawful possession of firearms and recovered a locally made pistol, short guns, three live cartridges and charms during a search operation.
On August 1, the command, acting on intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout in Nkomoro Community, Ezza North Local Government Area, following reports of alleged sporadic shooting during a funeral ceremony.
An ash-coloured Honda Accord was recovered, alongside 19 voter cards and two mobile phones found inside the vehicle.
Okafor said investigation was ongoing to establish the ownership of the vehicle and the circumstances surrounding the items recovered.
On kidnapping and extortion, the CP disclosed that one Ajah Ikechukwu, a native of Ngwogwo Community, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area, was arrested over an alleged self-kidnapping scheme.
She said the suspect allegedly went into hiding and subsequently demanded N25 million from his family as ransom, after which N1 million was transferred into an account he provided.
"Following diligent investigation and intelligence gathering, the suspect was eventually arrested. During interrogation, he confessed to having orchestrated the purported kidnapping and ransom demand," Okafor said.
The commissioner warned that staging kidnappings and extorting unsuspecting victims under false pretences would attract prosecution.
In another operation, police rescued a kidnapping victim, Chigbo Lucy, after armed suspects allegedly abducted her.
Okafor said the suspects were intercepted around Ebebe Junction, forcing them to flee, while one suspect, identified as Stephen Job, was subsequently arrested.
A locally made pistol, 13 live cartridges, a black mask, black gloves and assorted charms were allegedly recovered from his residence.
The CP said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang.
On the murder of the Traditional Ruler of Ishinkwo Autonomous Community in Onicha Local Government Area, His Royal Highness Josephat Ikegwu, Okafor said the command had earlier arrested and charged six suspects.
She disclosed that two additional suspects, Friday Nwafor and Ozomena Pius, alias "Oxygen", were arrested on August 28 at their hideout in Ishiagu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
"The arrests further demonstrate the Command's unwavering commitment to bringing all suspects involved in crimes to justice, regardless of where they may attempt to hide," she said.
The commissioner also disclosed the arrest of Okechukwu Emmanuel over allegations bordering on cyberbullying, cyberstalking, threat to life and extortion.
She said the suspect allegedly recorded intimate videos of his former girlfriend without her consent, subsequently sent the videos to her father and posted one of them on X, formerly Twitter.
According to the CP, the suspect allegedly demanded N17 million from the victim's father and threatened to circulate the videos further if the money was not paid.
"During interrogation, she admitted to sending the intimate video to the victim's father," Okafor said, adding that the suspect would be charged to court after investigation.
The commissioner warned that the non-consensual recording, distribution or publication of intimate materials would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, Okafor said the command successfully oversaw the August 22, 2026 local government elections and remained prepared for the ongoing electioneering activities.
She urged political actors, candidates and supporters to conduct their activities peacefully and obey the law.
"The Command remains apolitical, impartial and professional in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
"We will not tolerate acts of violence, intimidation, harassment, disorderly conduct, hate speech, or any other actions capable of threatening public peace or undermining the electoral process," she said.
Okafor assured residents that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing strategies to tackle emerging security threats.
She appealed to members of the public to support the police with timely and credible information on criminal activities.
"Criminals and their collaborators should understand that there will be no safe haven for those who engage in kidnapping, murder, or other violent crimes," the CP warned.
She urged residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or contact the command's control room on 07064515001.
