Police find 28 human skulls and bones in Abia forest

The Abia State Police Command has found 28 human skulls and other bones in forests in Isuochi and Nneato communities, located in Umunneochi Local Government Area.

Maureen Chinaka, the command’s spokesperson, shared this news in a statement after a security operation on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

According to BBC, Chinaka said the operation was part of “Operation No Hideout for Criminal Elements in the State.” The aim is to flush out suspected criminals from the area.

The operation included teams from the Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, Intelligence Response Unit, Rapid Response Squad, and Isuochi Police Headquarters.

Chinaka mentioned that the operatives conducted intelligence-led raids on suspected criminal camps in forests around Umuaku, Isuochi, and another camp in Nneato, also in Isuochi.

She stated that the suspected criminals ran away when the police showed up, leaving the camps empty.

“Upon arrival of the Command tactical operatives at the camps, the suspects ran. The criminal camps were subsequently scattered,” Chinaka said.

While searching the suspected kidnappers’ camps, the police found the remains.

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

Chinaka also noted that some of the remains were decomposed. She added that the police believe these remains belonged to people who had been kidnapped and taken into the forest. Investigations are still ongoing.

So far, there have been no arrests connected to this discovery, as the suspects reportedly fled 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.

Pictures and videos released by the police showed human skulls and bones lying on the ground inside the forest.

The police stated this operation is part of their larger efforts to break down suspected criminal camps in the state.

Umunneochi has been a focus of security operations aimed at suspected kidnappers. In past operations, authorities have reported finding decomposing human remains in different parts of the local government area.

The Abia State Police Command has urged residents to report any information that could help security agencies deal with crime in the state.