The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested 131 suspects in a major crackdown on crime across the state. The arrests, made between July and mid-August, cover serious offences including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, and inciting violence.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Adaku Uche-Anya, during a press briefing in Abakaliki, the state capital. She also revealed that two kidnapped students were rescued during one of the police operations in Ikwo Local Government Area on August 14.
The Commissioner said the arrests include 120 males and 11 females, adding that 52 of the suspects have already been charged to court while investigations continue on the others.
“Ebonyi, being predominantly agrarian, often experiences crises linked to land and boundary disputes, especially during the farming season,” Uche-Anya explained. “These disputes usually arise from competition for arable land, which is central to people’s livelihoods.”
To curb these issues, she noted, the police have strengthened their early warning systems and increased surveillance in known flashpoints. “We are monitoring trouble-prone areas closely and intervening early before violence breaks out,” she said.
The command has also taken a non-violent approach by engaging traditional leaders, youth groups, and community stakeholders to encourage peaceful resolution of land-related conflicts.
According to her, the proactive measures are yielding positive results. “We’ve seen a reduction in violent clashes in some high-risk areas, but we are not relaxing. Our officers remain vigilant across the state.”
The rescue of the two kidnapped students in Ikwo LGA was highlighted as a major success during the briefing. Although the identities of the students and details of their abduction were not disclosed for security reasons, the Commissioner assured the public that the victims are safe and have been reunited with their families.
Uche-Anya stressed that the police under her leadership are determined to ensure safety across the state. “Criminal elements must understand that Ebonyi is no longer a safe haven for them,” she warned. “We will continue to go after them until law and order prevail in every corner of this state.”
She called on residents to support the police by providing useful information that can help in fighting crime. “Security is everyone’s business. We urge the public to work with us by reporting suspicious activities in their communities,” she added.
Ebonyi State, located in the South- Eastern region of Nigeria, has in recent years battled challenges ranging from cult clashes and communal conflicts to armed banditry and kidnapping. The growing competition for farmland, especially during planting and harvest seasons, has also triggered violence in rural areas.
While the state government has made efforts to settle longstanding boundary disputes and improve rural security, local tensions still flare up from time to time. Many observers believe better policing and community engagement, as shown in the police command’s recent approach, are key to reducing such conflicts.
The Commissioner also used the occasion to remind the public that law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to keep the state safe. She assured that more arrests will be made as investigations into the remaining suspects continue.
Residents of Abakaliki and surrounding communities have welcomed the recent police efforts, with many calling for more community-police collaboration.
Mrs Uche-Anya concluded the briefing by encouraging communities to embrace dialogue over violence. “No development can take place in an atmosphere of fear and conflict. Let us talk to one another instead of fighting. The police are here to support and protect every law-abiding citizen,” she said.
With the farming season underway and tensions traditionally running high in rural areas, the Ebonyi Police Command’s firm stance against crime and its emphasis on peacebuilding may prove vital in keeping the state stable in the coming months.
