Police Arrest 13 Suspects for Robbery and Cult Activities in Abia

The Abia Police Command has arrested 13 male suspects aged 20 to 27 for armed robbery, vandalism of government property, and illegal possession of firearms.

Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer, shared this news in a statement on Wednesday. She mentioned that the police recovered several items, including one locally made pistol, one single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, one Beretta pistol, and one pump-action gun.

Chinaka also listed other recovered items: six live cartridges, one cutlass, one axe, substances believed to be hard drugs, walkie-talkies, one face mask, two red berets, and one black beret.

She stated that the command has seen successes in its efforts to fight crime in the state using both active and passive strategies, based on solid intelligence.

In another incident, operatives from the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested Uchenna Agbneiwu, 27, who is from Nkume in Orlu LGA of Imo State but lives in Ubakala, Umuahia.

Chinaka said, "He was found with a vandalized large galvanised pipeline hidden with sawdust in a white Toyota Hiace bus." She added that the police are still trying to catch other suspects who escaped.

On Sunday, VCRU operatives in Aba North arrested Williams Ifeanyi, 27, who reportedly held a victim at gunpoint and stole his bag and personal items along Market Road by Rail. A pistol and live cartridges were found with him.

Chinaka noted, "Also, acting on reliable intelligence, officers from the Urratta Divisional Police Station arrested John Chigozie, 25, and David Anyaka, 26, for an armed robbery at a hotel in Aba on August 1, 2026. A pistol and live ammunition were recovered. Investigations are ongoing."

On August 4, 2026, VCRU operatives on Bende Road arrested members of a violent criminal group (cultists) during a meeting at Umuezeagwu, Umuahia North.

The police recovered a pump-action gun, a Beretta pistol, live cartridges, a cutlass, an axe, substances suspected to be hard drugs, walkie-talkies, a face mask, two red berets, and one black beret. Investigations into this case are also ongoing.

The police command reaffirmed its dedication to protecting lives and property, preventing and detecting crime, and maintaining law and order.

They urged residents to help in crime prevention by reporting any security issues to the nearest police station.