Abia Police Raid Criminal Hideouts, Arrest 31 Suspected Drug Dealers

The Abia State Police Command has arrested 31 suspects and destroyed several camps allegedly used for illicit drug activities in Umuahia during a raid of criminal hideouts.

The operation, carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, targeted identified criminal enclaves as part of the Command’s ongoing clearance operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and improving public safety.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, operatives of the Central Police Station (CPS), Umuahia, in collaboration with community vigilantes, conducted coordinated raids on criminal hotspots within the Mission Hill/New Road axis, popularly known as “Down Below.” The area, described as a secluded valley extending into the bush, has allegedly served as a hideout for criminal elements.

The police also raided another notorious hideout in Amuzukwu, which was reportedly used for drug bunkering and as a refuge for suspected criminals.

During the operation, 30 male suspects aged between 22 and 46 years, alongside one female suspect, were apprehended. Security operatives also recovered various substances suspected to be illicit hard drugs.

The statement further disclosed that on July 1, 2026, police operatives revisited the locations following fresh intelligence. During the follow-up operation, they identified and dismantled several makeshift structures used as safe havens for criminal activities and the sale of illicit drugs.

About eight tents and camps constructed with baboon sticks and tarpaulin materials were destroyed and burnt, a move the Command said was aimed at dislodging criminal syndicates and disrupting their operations.

The police confirmed that all 31 suspects have been charged to court and remanded in a correctional facility.

Reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling crime, Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa stated that the Abia State Police Command maintains zero tolerance for criminality and will continue to adopt proactive operational strategies to ensure the safety and security of residents.

He stressed that Abia would remain hostile to criminals, adding that security operatives would continue taking the fight directly to criminal hideouts across the state.

The Commissioner also urged residents to support the police by providing timely and credible information on suspicious activities through the nearest police station or the Command’s emergency hotlines.