Gunmen kidnap police officer in Abia

The Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, of the Isuochi Police station in the Umunneochi council area of Abia State, also known by his initials DSP Dickson, has been abducted by gunmen.

Three days prior, on Thursday, August 10, the policeman was allegedly kidnapped in broad daylight while other officers narrowly escaped the incident.

According to some police officers who requested anonymity and spoke to news reporters, the morale of the local force has decreased since the DCO, who is known as a "tough cop," was abducted.

Reporters learned that the state's police authorities sent out every tactical squad under the command of the state police in an attempt to free the victim and his kidnappers, but to no effect.

The tactical team's fruitless search is alleged to have increased concern for the top policeman's safety.

The police advised Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to work with the police hierarchy to reform the state's police force and increase efforts to stop the escalating kidnapping incidences in the Umunneochi/Isuikwuato area.

Further information revealed that although the family of the kidnapped DCO paid the ransom sought by his captors, the DCO is still being held captive.

The policemen said; “DSP Dickson hails from Enugu State. He has a health challenge and barely has just a few months to retire from the Nigeria Police. The police authorities have deployed the tactical team who went and combed the area,to no avail. They have also sent some of us,but we are aware that they have not done enough to rescue him.

“The People of the state have complained about the rising rate of insecurity in the state and demanding for redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in the state. Everyday they say Abia is peaceful and secure, but kidnappers are having a field day abducting and killing people.

“They’re saying all those things because we the affected police officers are not speaking up. There are serious security challenges all over the state, especially the Umunneochi/Isuikwuato axis. I don’t understand why the authorities are playing politics with reality. Why can’t they accept that there’s a problem and call for help? What’s happening all over the country is also here, but our own is suppressed and underreported.”

As of the time this story was filed, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, the police public relations officer for the Abia state command, has not returned calls or texts to his mobile number.