Police Arrest 13 Suspects In Abia Robbery, Cultism Crackdown

Police in Abia State have arrested 13 male suspects in separate operations linked to armed robbery, cultism, vandalism and unlawful possession of firearms.

The command said the arrests followed intelligence-led operations in parts of the state, including Aba and Umuahia. It also reported the recovery of firearms, live cartridges, suspected hard drugs and other exhibits.

Premium Times reported that police spokesperson Maureen Chinaka said the suspects were arrested during operations aimed at curbing violent crimes in Aba and other parts of Abia. Punch also reported the same figure of 13 suspects and said they were aged between 20 and 27.

According to the reports, exhibits recovered included one locally made pistol, one locally made single-barrel gun, a Beretta pistol, a pump-action gun, live cartridges, a cutlass, an axe, walkie-talkies, a face mask and berets. Police also reported the recovery of substances suspected to be hard drugs.

One suspect was allegedly found with a vandalised galvanised pipeline concealed with sawdust in a white Toyota Hiace bus. Another case involved a suspect accused of robbing a victim at gunpoint around Market Road by Rail in Aba.

The command said efforts were still ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects. The arrested suspects are expected to remain under investigation as police link the recovered exhibits to the separate cases.

Sources: Premium Times and Punch.