The Abia State Police Command has arrested 13 suspected criminals during a series of intelligence-led operations targeting armed robbery, cultism and the vandalism of government property across the state.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday, saying operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and other divisional formations carried out the successful operations.
According to the police, one of the suspects, a 27-year-old man, was intercepted at Ubakala in Umuahia while allegedly transporting a vandalised large galvanised pipeline hidden beneath sawdust inside a Toyota Hiace bus.
The Command said investigations are ongoing to arrest other members of the suspected vandalism syndicate who reportedly escaped.
In another operation, VCRU operatives in Aba North arrested another 27-year-old suspect for allegedly robbing a victim at gunpoint along Market Road by Rail in Aba.
Police recovered a locally made pistol and live cartridges from the suspect during the arrest.
Similarly, officers attached to the Uratta Divisional Police Station arrested two suspects in connection with an alleged armed robbery attack at a hotel in Aba, recovering a firearm and live ammunition from them.
The Command also disclosed that its operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected cult meeting at Umuezeagwu in Umuahia North, where several suspects were arrested.
Items recovered during the raid included 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.
The police said investigations into the various cases are still ongoing and assured that all the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Abia State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, while urging residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information through the nearest police station or the Command’s emergency lines.
