The police in Abia State have arrested 13 suspected armed robbers, cultists and a suspected pipeline vandal in separate intelligence-led operations across the state, recovering firearms, live ammunition, suspected hard drugs and other exhibits.
The police spokesperson in the state, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday, saying the arrests were made by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and the Urratta Divisional Police Station between 2 and 4 August.
The latest operations come amid intensified efforts by security agencies to curb violent crimes in Aba and other parts of Abia.
In June, the deputy inspector-general of police in charge of the South-east ordered urgent security measures following rising incidents of armed robbery and violent attacks in Aba.
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In May, the police in the state announced the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and recovered ransom allegedly paid by the victim’s family.
Cult meeting raided
The police said the biggest breakthrough came on 4 August when operatives of the VCRU, Bende Road, acting on credible intelligence, raided what they described as a meeting of members of a violent criminal group at Umuezeagwu in Umuahia North.
According to the statement, the operation led to the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of one pump-action gun, one Beretta pistol, six live cartridges, one cutlass, one axe, substances suspected to be hard drugs, walkie-talkies, one face mask, two red berets and one black beret.
Robbery, vandalism suspects arrested
In another operation, VCRU operatives arrested Williams Ifeanyi, 27, on 2 August over an alleged armed robbery along Market Road by Rail in Aba.
The police alleged that the suspect “at gunpoint, accosted and dispossessed a victim of his bag and personal belongings.”
A locally made pistol and live cartridges were recovered from him, according to the statement.
Similarly, operatives of the Urratta Divisional Police Station arrested John Chigozie, 25, and David Anyaka, 26, over an alleged armed robbery at a hotel in Aba on 1 August.
The command said officers recovered a pistol and live ammunition from the suspects, adding that investigations are continuing.
In a separate case, the police arrested Uchenna Agbneiwu, 27, who hailed from Nkume in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State but resides in Ubakala, Umuahia.
According to the police, the suspect was intercepted while conveying a vandalised large galvanised pipeline concealed with sawdust inside a white Toyota Hiace bus.
Ms Chinaka said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects linked to the alleged vandalism.
Police seek public support
Reaffirming its commitment to tackling crime, the command said it remains focused on “the protection of lives and property, prevention and detection of crime, and the maintenance of law and order.”
It urged residents to support security agencies with useful information.