The Abia State Police Command has arrested 13 suspected armed robbers and recovered firearms, ammunition and other weapons during intelligence-led operations targeting criminal activities across the state.
The arrests followed separate operations by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit and other tactical teams, who also apprehended a suspect for allegedly vandalising government property and recovered several exhibits linked to the crimes.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, said the operations formed part of the Command’s sustained kinetic and intelligence-driven strategies aimed at combating violent crimes, armed robbery, cultism and vandalism across Abia State.
According to the statement, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit intercepted and arrested Uchenna Agbneiwu, 27, a native of Nkume in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State residing in Ubakala, Umuahia, after he was allegedly found transporting a vandalised large galvanised pipeline concealed beneath sawdust inside a white Toyota Hiace bus. Police said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects who escaped during the operation.
The Command also disclosed that on August 2, 2026, operatives of the VCRU in Aba North arrested Williams Ifeanyi, 27, following an alleged armed robbery incident along Market Road by Rail in Aba.
He was accused of robbing a victim at gunpoint and dispossessing the victim of a bag and other personal belongings. A locally made pistol and live cartridges were recovered from the suspect.
Similarly, acting on actionable intelligence, operatives of the Uratta Divisional Police Station arrested John Chigozie, 25, and David Anyaka, 26, over their alleged involvement in an armed robbery attack at a hotel in Aba on August 1, 2026.
Police recovered a firearm and live ammunition from the suspects, while investigations into the incident are continuing.
The statement revealed that on August 4, 2026, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit stationed along Bende Road raided a meeting of suspected cult members at Umuezeagwu in Umuahia North following credible intelligence.
Several suspects were arrested during the operation, while officers 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.
Chinaka noted that investigations into all the cases were ongoing and assured residents that the Command remained committed to protecting lives and property through proactive policing, intelligence gathering and prompt response to criminal activities.
She urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements and criminal activities through the nearest police station or the Command’s emergency hotlines, stressing that community collaboration remains vital to sustaining peace and security across the state.