Christmas: Abia Police Assure Residents of Hitch-Free Celebrations, Outline Major Security Achievements
The Abia State Police Command has assured residents of the state of adequate security and a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebration, as it warned criminal elements to abandon crime and allow law-abiding citizens to enjoy the Yuletide season in peace.
The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Danladi Isa, gave the assurance on Friday while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Umuahia.
According to the Police Commissioner, the Command has significantly strengthened its operational capacity across the state, deploying both covert and overt security strategies to ensure the safety of lives and property before, during, and after the festive period.
CP Isa disclosed that from January to December 2025, the Abia State Police Command recorded a total of 438 criminal cases, leading to the arrest of 809 suspects involved in various offences ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, violent crimes, to other serious criminal activities.
He further revealed that over 200 suspects have been successfully prosecuted, receiving different sentences from competent courts, a development he described as a strong deterrent to criminality in the state.
In addition, the Command recovered 88 different arms, including dangerous weapons, from criminal elements during various operations, thereby preventing potential loss of lives and property.
“We have sent a lot of people to jail. A clear message has been passed that it is no longer business as usual for criminals in Abia State,” CP Isa stated.
The Police boss highlighted that the Command recorded notable successes in disrupting criminal networks, dismantling hideouts, and responding swiftly to distress calls through improved patrols, intelligence-led operations, and community policing initiatives.
He noted that regular visibility patrols, stop-and-search operations within the confines of the law, and strategic deployment of personnel at flashpoints, highways, markets, worship centers, and recreational areas have contributed greatly to the relative peace currently enjoyed in the state.
CP Isa also emphasized improved collaboration with local vigilante groups, community leaders, and other security agencies, which has enhanced intelligence gathering and timely response to security threats.
The Commissioner stressed that discipline remains the cornerstone of effective policing, adding that the Command has taken decisive actions to ensure professionalism among its personnel.
“The bedrock of this job is discipline, and the best form of discipline is self-discipline. We have inculcated this in our personnel. For those who fell short, some have been sent to jail, some dismissed, while others have had their ranks reduced,” he said.
He explained that such measures were necessary to maintain public trust and ensure that officers uphold the highest standards of conduct while discharging their duties.
CP Isa reassured residents that Abia State has remained relatively peaceful and that the Command will sustain its round-the-clock surveillance, intelligence-driven policing, and rapid response mechanisms throughout the festive season and beyond.
He urged members of the public to cooperate with the police by providing timely and useful information, and to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
The Commissioner expressed deep appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his leadership and support, as well as to the Governor of Abia State for providing the enabling environment and logistical backing that has strengthened policing operations in the state.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that residents celebrate Christmas and the New Year in a safe and secure atmosphere.
PUO
