Police arrest 13 for robbery, vandalism, unlawful possession of firearms
August 5, 2026 9:08 am
Abia Police Command says it arrested 13 male suspects aged between 20 and 27 years over armed robbery, vandalisation of government property and unlawful possession of firearms.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday morning by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka.
Exhibits recovered include one locally made pistol, one locally made single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, one Beretta pistol, and one pump-action gun.
Other exhibits include six live cartridges, one cutlass, one axe, substances suspected to be hard drugs, Walkie-talkies, one face mask, and two red berets and one black beret
Chinaka stated, “The Abia State Police Command has continued to record significant successes in its kinetic and non-kinetic operational strategies in combating crime across the State, leveraging actionable intelligence.”
She disclosed that operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU intercepted and apprehended one Uchenna Agbneiwu, aged 27, a native of Nkume in Orlu LGA of Imo State, but residing at Ubakala, Umuahia.
“He was found in possession of a vandalised large galvanised pipeline concealed with sawdust in a white Toyota Hiace bus”, the PPRO said, adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
She added that on Sunday, operatives of the VCRU, Aba North, apprehended Williams Ifeanyi, aged 27, of Market Road, Aba.
She stated that the suspect, at gunpoint, accosted and dispossessed a victim of his bag and personal belongings along Market Road by Rail, adding that a pistol and live cartridges were recovered from him.
“Similarly, leveraging on actionable intelligence, operatives of the Urratta Divisional Police Station arrested John Chigozie 25 years old and David Anyaka 26 years old who were involved in an armed robbery incident at a hotel in Aba on 01/08/2026. A pistol and live ammunition were recovered. Investigation is ongoing.
“Furthermore, on 04/08/2026, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Bende Road, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended members of a violent criminal group (cultists) during their meeting at Umuezeagwu, Umuahia North. The suspects were arrested and the following items were recovered: one pump-action gun, one Beretta pistol, live cartridges, one cutlass, one axe, substances suspected to be hard drugs, walkie-talkies, one face mask, two red berets, and one black beret. Investigation is ongoing.”
The Command reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property, prevention and detection of crime, and the maintenance of law and order.
It encouraged Abians, as partners in crime prevention, to provide timely information on security concerns to the nearest police station.
On August 1, the Kebbi State Police Command arrested two suspects allegedly linked to the abduction of three newly passed-out military recruits along the Anka/Bukuyum Road in Zamfara State.
The command said the suspects were arrested during an intelligence-led operation on August 1, 2026, following credible intelligence.https://punchng.com/police-arrest-two-in-kebbi-over-abduction-of-military-recruits/
Sunday Nwakanma is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 25 years of professional experience in reporting. He is based in Abia State and has worked across local, regional, and national newspapers, covering a wide range of public affairs issues. Sunday’s work reflects extensive newsroom experience, multiple professional recognitions, and a strong commitment to press freedom and responsible journalism.
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