The Abia State Police Command has recovered 28 human skulls and other human bones from suspected criminal camps in forests around Umuaku-Isuochi and Nneato communities in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.

The remains were discovered during an intelligence-led operation conducted on Sunday, as part of the command’s ongoing “Operation No Hideout for Criminal Elements in the State.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in Abia State, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed the development in a statement, saying the operation involved personnel from the Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, Intelligence Response Unit, Rapid Response Squad and Isuochi Divisional Police Headquarters.

According to Chinaka, the operatives raided suspected criminal camps in the forests around Umuaku, Isuochi, and another camp in Nneato following intelligence received by the command.

She said the suspects fled their camps before the arrival of the police tactical teams, leaving the hideouts deserted. The operatives subsequently searched and dismantled the camps.

During the search, the police recovered 28 human skulls and bones, which the command suspects may belong to victims of kidnapping.

Chinaka, however, stressed that investigations were ongoing to establish the identities of the deceased and determine the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Some of the recovered remains were reportedly decomposed.

The police said no suspect had been arrested in connection with the discovery as of the time of the statement, adding that efforts had been intensified to track down those who fled the camps.

The command also said monitoring of the affected areas would continue as investigators work to unravel the circumstances surrounding the recovered human remains.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Afolabi, reaffirmed the command’s determination to dismantle criminal hideouts across the state and prevent forests from being used as safe havens by suspected criminals.

The police consequently appealed to residents to remain vigilant and provide useful information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending suspected criminals operating in the area.