The Abia State Police Command has recovered 28 human skulls and other human bones during a security operation in forests around Isuochi and Nneato communities in Umunneochi Local Government Area.

The command’s spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement following the 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 identify and dismantle suspected criminal 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 operatives, acting on intelligence, raided suspected criminal camps located in forest areas around Umuaku and Isuochi, as well as another camp in Nneato.

She said the suspects fled before the arrival of the police, leaving the camps deserted.

According to the police spokesperson, the tactical team subsequently searched the camps and discovered human remains believed to be linked to people allegedly kidnapped and taken into the forest.

“A total of twenty-eight (28) human skulls and bones, which we suspect are kidnap victims, were recovered,” Chinaka said.

She added that some of the remains were already decomposed, while stressing that investigations were ongoing to establish their identities and circumstances surrounding their deaths.

No arrest has been reported in connection with the discovery, as the suspects reportedly escaped before the police arrived.

Chinaka said the command was continuing its investigation and monitoring of the area while efforts were being intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Photographs and videos released by the police showed skulls and other human bones scattered on the ground within the forest.

The command said the operation formed part of its broader efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts and improve security across Abia State.

Umunneochi has previously featured in security operations targeting suspected kidnappers, with authorities reporting the discovery of decomposing human remains during earlier operations in parts of the local government area.

The police command urged residents to provide useful information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending criminal elements operating in the state.