The attention of Umunneochi Local Government Administration has been drawn to a story currently circulating on social media within and outside Umunneochi, claiming that the Police recently raided a kidnappers’ hideout “around Umuaku – Isuochi and Nneato and discovered 28 human skulls”, while the suspected perpetrators escaped without being apprehended.
A release by the Council titled: “Re: Police raid on alleged criminal hideout and discovery of 28 Human Skulls”, states clearly that the said site is an abandoned camp of suspected kidnappers situated at the boundaries between Aku community in Okigwe LGA of Imo State and Nneato in Umunneochi LGA that was uncovered around August,2024 by joint government security operatives, working in synergy with our own local vigilantes.
The release therefore makes it clear that the information is not a recent incident in Isuochi and should not be seen as such.
“For clarity, the latest viral video about the site was taken on 26th September, 2026 during routine security operations at flashpoints situated around the fringes of the LGA by operatives of Abia State police command alongside the same active local vigilantes.
“For further clarification, the old video footage of the abandoned camp and the initial viral publication that first brought it to limelight are attached to this announcement to enable the public to properly understand the context and avoid being misled by its recent circulation,” the statement points out.
To this end , the release enjoins residents of Isuochi and Umunneochi Local Government Area to remain calm and disregard the misleading impression that there has been a recent discovery of such a criminal hideout in Isuochi.
It further assures the people that Umunneochi remains peaceful and secure, while our security agencies continue to work diligently to protect lives and property across the Local Government Area.
The statement also urges residents to continue with their lawful businesses and daily activities without fear or apprehension, while remaining vigilant and promptly reporting any suspicious activities to the appropriate security authorities.
“The people of Umunneochi have continued to appreciate His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, the Executive Governor of Abia State, for his unending support towards strengthening security in Umunneochi and the state at large,” the release notes.
Recall Police in a release titled: “ABIA COMMAND RAIDS CRIMINAL HIDEOUT IN ISUOCHI; DECLARES ABIA STATE A NO-HIDING PLACE FOR CRIMINALS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES”, and endorsed by the Command’s PPRO, DSP Maureen Chinaka claimed that Leveraging actionable intelligence, Yesterday, 26/09/2026, operatives of the Command comprising the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, Intelligence Response Unit (IRU), Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and the Isuochi Divisional Police Station were deployed to suspected criminal camps located in the forests at Umuaku, Isuochi, for bush-combing operations, as well as another camp at Nneato, Isuochi.It further pointed out that “upon arrival of the Command’s tactical operatives at the camps, the suspects fled.
” The criminal camps were subsequently dismantled. A total of twenty-eight (28) human skulls and bones, suspected to be kidnap victims, were recovered. Investigation is ongoing, while monitoring of the area continues, and efforts are intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
It further pointed out that “upon arrival of the Command’s tactical operatives at the camps, the suspects fled. The criminal camps were subsequently dismantled. A total of twenty-eight (28) human skulls and bones, suspected to be kidnap victims, were recovered. Investigation is ongoing, while monitoring of the area continues, and efforts are intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
