Operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command have arrested 131 suspects for various crimes and rescued two kidnap victims.
The State Police Commissioner, Mrs. Adaku Uche-Anya, announced this on Wednesday.
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Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital, Uche-Anya said the suspects consist of 120 males and 11 females, apprehended for offenses including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, and crisis instigation.
She further disclosed that the command successfully rescued two kidnapped students on August 14 in Ikwo Local Government Area.
The Commissioner explained that recurring crises over land and boundary disputes, especially during the farming season, often fuel violence in the predominantly agrarian state.
She noted, “As you are aware, Ebonyi, being predominantly agrarian, often experiences recurring crises over land and boundary disputes during the farming season, arising from the struggle for arable land.
“In addressing these challenges, the command has deployed early warning mechanisms to promptly detect and contain brewing disputes.”
Uche-Anya emphasised the command’s proactive and community-focused strategy, adding, “We have also adopted a non-kinetic approach, engaging robustly with relevant stakeholders to ensure that differences are settled through civil dialogue rather than violence.
“The command continues to closely monitor flashpoints with land and boundary issues, and through this proactive strategy, we are recording encouraging results while remaining vigilant in ensuring the safety of our people.”
She also stated that 52 of the suspects have already been charged to court, while investigations continue for the others, who will soon be arraigned.
