PHOTOS: ABIA POLICE COMMAND PARADES OVER 50 SUSPECTED CRIMINALS, VOWS TO REDUCE CRIME

While parading the suspects who were arrested for crimes ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping, car theft and cultism, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr E. Ene Okon, fdc, who replaced the former police commissioner AIG Chris Okey Ezike (Rtd) said "I have therefore come with tremendous goodwill, open mind, willingness to work and partner all Abia citizens/residents to ensure we make Abia state safer, more secured, better and prosperous.

Together with my officers, we have solemnly resolved that our mission under my leadership shall be " TO REDUCE CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIORS, BRING POLICING TO THE COMMUNITY, ENHANCE SAFETY AND SECURITY IN ABIA STATE."

The police chief also assured residents of Abia of a resuscitated Command Crack Squad, Monitoring Unit and a more effective anti-kidnapping unit in Umuahia and Aba Areas.

While parading about 50 suspects who were involved in several criminal activities, CP Okon warned that the police is more intentional on its crackdown on criminals who have taken up the duty of terrorizing the state, and assured the residents of Aba and Umuahia of their safety.

Some of the suspects who interacted with newsmen confessed to their involvement in the alleged crimes.
Of particular focus was that of a 23-year old Emmanuel Nwachukwu (male), a local car wash operator from Umuajata Olokoro in Umuahia who stole a Toyota Camry Car with reg number KTU 721 EJ, from the owner identified as Oluwadare Akingbola (male), in Ijebu-Ode Ogun state; a vehicle which according to police report was sent by the owner for washing.

The police has stated that the suspect will be transferred to the venue of the offence for prosecution.

Also paraded were suspected cultists who were at the venue of initiation arrested by operatives of the command's Crack squad - who were acting on tip-off, at the one Presidential Lodge, situated at Ezinne Theresa Avenue around Government College Umuahia. The suspects; Mgboji Orji, Okechukwu Emmanuel, Daniel Nkata, Kalu Victor, Uguru Joseph Robbert, Nkata Daniel Okoro The suspects were found in possession of one locally made pistol with one live cartridge in a bag belonging to Mgboji, Nine empty bottles of Lord Dry Gin, Laptops and several phones, a traveling bag belonging to Daniel Nkata.

The suspects - according to the police, are being investigated and upon conclusion of investigation will be handed over to the court for prosecution.