The Abia Police Command says it arrested 13 male suspects aged between 20 and 27 over armed robbery, vandalism of government property, and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, in a statement she issued on Wednesday, 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, she said, include 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.

According to Chinaka, the command has continued to record “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 also said the operatives of the VCRU, Aba North, on Sunday, apprehended Williams Ifeanyi, aged 27, of Market Road, Aba.

The suspect, at gunpoint, accosted and dispossessed a victim of his bag and personal belongings along Market Road by Rail. A pistol and live cartridges were recovered from him.

“Similarly, leveraging 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 the residents, as partners in crime prevention, to provide timely information on security concerns to the nearest police station.