Abia Police Command Neutralizes Six Killers Of Sobaz Oil Boss

Abia State Police Command has successfully arrested six suspects in connection with the kidnap and murder of the Director of Sobaz Oil and Gas, Anayo Ukwu and a policeman attached to the CTU Rivers State Command, ASP Tanko Naptip.

The incident which occurred on 4th of March, 2025 along Azumiri Road, Ukwa East LGA, Abia State, also saw the kidnap of the Managing Director of DozzMan Filling Station, Mr. Chidozie Confidence Chijioke.

According to a press release by the Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, operatives of the Police command in Abia State, acting on credible and actionable intelligence tracked down perpetrators and recorded a major breakthrough.

The statement said the operation took place on Thursday, August 21, 2025, in which police operatives traced the den of the suspected kidnappers to Ikot Ukpon Village, Obot Akara LGA, Akwa Ibom State.

It further stated that police operatives of the Command successfully raided the criminal hideout at Ikot Ukpon Village, Obot Akara LGA, Akwa Ibom State,arrested Six (6) suspected kidnappers and recovered: Two (2) AK-47 Rifles, Fifty-Seven (57) Live Ammunition, One (1) Locally Made Pistol, Six (6) Magazines, and One (1) big bag filled with materials suspected to be charms and spiritual items.

However, while operatives of the Command were exiting the camp after the successful operation, they were ambushed by other members of the gang, who attempted to rescue their partners in crime.

This resulted in a gun battle with the police. Meanwhile, the six (6) arrested suspects, while attempting to escape, sustained gunshot injuries and died on the way to the hospital for medical attention.

Other members of the gang fled with bullet wounds. Meanwhile, two police officers sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.

Speaking on the sidelines of the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring that there will be no hiding place for criminals in the state.

He assured Abians that every unrepentant criminal will be made to face the wrath of the law. The CP further stated that the Command would continue to collaborate with the Akwa Ibom State Police Command to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

The CP urged the good people of Abia State to be security conscious and to support the Police by promptly reporting anyone with bullet injuries and suspicious persons with criminal tendencies to the nearest police station.