The Abia State Police Command has confirmed that it has not received any official report regarding the alleged discovery of floating corpses in the river bordering Oriendu Autonomous Community and Imo State.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Abia State Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, made this known on Monday while addressing inquiries about the alarming situation.
Despite reports from the community’s traditional ruler, Eze Philip Ajomiwe, claiming that around thirty unidentified corpses had been discovered in the Imo River between 2024 and 2025, the police insist no formal complaint has been lodged.
The traditional ruler, Eze Philip Ajomiwe, previously raised the alarm over the mysterious discovery, expressing concern that the incident has caused widespread fear in the Oriendu community, located in Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area.
The monarch appealed to the state government and security agencies to investigate and identify those responsible for the disturbing occurrences.
“This gruesome discovery has created panic in my community, and the people are living in fear because the killers of these victims remain unknown,” Eze Ajomiwe said, urging authorities to take swift action.
Despite the monarch’s public statements, DSP Maureen Chinaka clarified that no official report or formal communication had reached the police command as of Monday, February 24, 2025.
“Till now, no official report has been made to the police,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of following official channels to initiate investigations.
The police spokesperson also noted that there had been no reports of missing persons or deceased individuals from Oriendu community, adding that the location of the river straddles the boundary between Abia and Imo states, which could complicate jurisdictional matters.
The absence of an official report has raised concerns about potential delays in investigating the disturbing incidents. Security experts argue that such cases require immediate police intervention, even without formal complaints, to prevent further occurrences and reassure the community.
Residents of Oriendu have expressed worries over their safety and are calling on authorities to intensify surveillance around the river and neighboring areas.
Meanwhile, the Abia State Police Command has assured the public that they are prepared to investigate the matter thoroughly once an official report is filed.
As the mystery surrounding the floating corpses deepens, pressure continues to mount on law enforcement agencies to take proactive measures and uncover the truth behind these shocking discoveries.