Police Dismiss Allegations, Detail Arrest of Abia Security Official Over Alleged Theft.
Police Dismiss Allegations, Detail Arrest of Abia Security Official Over Alleged Theft.
Police Dismiss Allegations, Detail Arrest of Abia Security Official Over Alleged Theft.
The Abia State Police Command has refuted allegations circulating online that it framed, tortured, and denied bail to a senior official of the state’s security outfit, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, the police said the accusations regarding the arrest of Tochi Ireokwu, Deputy Director of Logistics and Supply in the Abia State Homeland Security Service, do not reflect the true circumstances surrounding the case.
According to the police, Ireokwu was apprehended alongside three other suspects following actionable intelligence linking them to alleged acts of economic sabotage, vandalism, theft, conspiracy, and aiding and abetting criminal activities.
The Command explained that on April 4, 2026, the suspect reportedly visited a government facility with her assistant and obtained a set of keys from the Chief Security Officer under the pretext of conducting a security inspection.
During the process, she allegedly removed some keys from the set before returning the remainder.
Police further alleged that on April 5, she dispatched her assistant and two others to the facility with the removed keys in an attempt to steal government property. However, the plan was unsuccessful due to heightened security presence.
On April 6, the situation escalated when Ireokwu allegedly returned to the premises and convened what she described as an emergency security lecture.
During the exercise, she reportedly redeployed on-duty personnel to another location while a new team she introduced allegedly vandalized storage containers and removed valuable items.
Items reportedly targeted included armored cables, electrical wires, electronic motors, engine components, and car batteries.
The suspects were said to have loaded the materials into a wine-red Toyota Sienna without registration plates before being intercepted by police operatives acting on intelligence.
The case was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further inquiry. Police disclosed that confessional statements have been obtained from the suspects, while recovered exhibits are currently in custody.
The matter has since been charged before the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, where the suspects were remanded pending further hearing scheduled for May 13, 2026.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Danladi Isa, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to professionalism, respect for human rights, and adherence to the rule of law.
He emphasized that the police would continue to carry out their constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour.
The Command urged the public to disregard misinformation and reiterated its resolve to protect lives and property while maintaining law and order across the state.