The Abia State Police Command says it has recovered 28 human skulls and other human bones from suspected criminal camps in forests around Isuochi and Nneato communities in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement following a security operation conducted on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
According to Chinaka, the operation was carried out under the command’s “Operation No Hideout for Criminal Elements in the State,” as part of efforts to flush out suspected criminals and dismantle their camps.
The operation involved personnel from the Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, Intelligence Response Unit, Rapid Response Squad and Isuochi Police Headquarters.
Chinaka said the suspects fled upon the arrival of the tactical teams, leaving the camps deserted.
“Upon arrival of the Command tactical operatives at the camps, the suspects ran. The criminal camps were subsequently scattered,” she said.
She said some of the recovered human remains were already decomposed, adding that the police suspect they may belong to victims who were kidnapped and taken into the forest.
However, she stressed that investigations are ongoing to establish the identities of the victims and determine the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
No arrests have been made so far, as the suspects reportedly escaped before the police arrived.
“Investigation is ongoing, while monitoring of the area continues, and efforts are high to catch the suspects who are on the run,” Chinaka said.
Photographs and videos released by the police showed human skulls and bones scattered across parts of the forest.
The command said the operation was part of its broader efforts to dismantle criminal camps and improve security across Abia State.
Umunneochi Local Government Area has previously been the focus of security operations targeting suspected kidnappers, with authorities in earlier operations also reporting the discovery of decomposing human remains.
The Abia State Police Command urged residents to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending those involved in criminal activities across the state.