The Abia State Police Command has announced the arrest of 13 suspects in connection with alleged armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, vandalism of government property and other criminal activities across the state.

The Command disclosed that operatives of its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested a 27-year-old suspect, Uchenna Agbneiwu, a native of Nkume in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State who resides in Ubakala, over alleged vandalism.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, who made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday, officers recovered a vandalised large pipeline concealed beneath sawdust inside a white Toyota Hiace bus. She added that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest other suspects who escaped.

The police spokesperson also revealed that operatives of the VCRU in Aba North arrested Williams Ifeanyi of Market Road, Aba, on August 2, 2026, for allegedly robbing a victim of a bag and other personal belongings at gunpoint along Market Road by Rail.

She said a pistol and live cartridges were recovered from the suspect during the operation.

In a separate operation, officers attached to the Uratta Divisional Police Station arrested two suspects, John Chigozie and David Anyaka, over their alleged involvement in an armed robbery incident at a hotel in Aba on August 1, 2026. A pistol and live ammunition were reportedly recovered from them.

The Command further disclosed that operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit on Bende Road, acting on credible intelligence, raided a meeting of a suspected violent criminal group believed to be cultists at Umuezeagwu in Umuahia North.

According to DSP Chinaka, the operation led to the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of one pump-action gun, one Beretta pistol, live cartridges, a cutlass, an axe, substances suspected to be hard drugs, walkie-talkies, one face mask, two red berets and one black beret.

She noted that investigations into the various cases are ongoing.