Police in Nigeria have unearthed the remains of at least 28 people during a raid on criminal camps in forests, following a weekend in which more than 80 people were seized in mass kidnappings across two states.
The discovery was made by Abia State Police Command during an operation in the Umunneochi area, based on intelligence reports about suspected criminal activity in the forests. Officers found the remains at Umuaku and Nneato forests on Saturday.
Police dismantle criminal camps
Police said suspects fled when officers arrived at the locations, leading to the discovery of the human remains. On Sunday, officers found “28 human skulls and bones suspected to be [of kidnapped] victims” following the raid on criminal groups in the forest.
Police spokesperson Maureen Chinaka said: “The criminal camps were subsequently dismantled. Investigation is ongoing, while monitoring of the area continues, and efforts are intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”
Officers to examine remains
Officers will examine the remains of the suspected victims to establish their identities and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Police have appealed to residents to report security concerns and other suspicious behaviour.
Wilfred Afolabi, Abia state police commissioner, has declared the recent police operation is part of a larger campaign against kidnapping in the area.
Mass kidnappings across Nigeria
The development comes after 80 people, mostly women, were kidnapped over the weekend in Nigeria. The kidnappings hit two states in the north of the country. On Sunday, almost 50 farmers were seized by armed kidnappers in Niger State, and on the same day around 40 women were kidnapped in neighbouring Zamfara State, according to AFP and a local source.
Mass kidnappings have become a frequent incident in northwestern and north-central Nigeria, and abducting groups of people has become a significant source of income for criminals such as bandits and militant Islamists in parts of the country.
This is not the first time authorities have discovered decomposing bodies suspected to be the victims of kidnapping. The Daily Star previously reported on a night-time terror attack which left around 10 people dead and another 40 injured. Around 50 gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles launched a raid on the village of Tofa in Rabah County on September 6, shooting residents, stealing livestock and later fleeing on bikes. Community and security sources said between 38 and 40 people were kidnapped during the chaos.
Hauwau Zayyanu, whose husband was kidnapped, is begging the government for help. She said: “My husband was taken from our home around 1 am. They came in large numbers on motorcycles and started shooting. We have not heard from him. We are begging government to help us. We have no money for ransom,” Truth Nigeria reports.
