The Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspected criminals and recovered firearms and other dangerous items in separate security operations carried out across the state.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Olokoro, acted on credible intelligence that a group of about 50 suspected cultists had assembled in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area, for unlawful activities.
The operation, which took place on July 6, led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Obioma Nmeribe, Emmanuel Lekwechi, and Ikemefula ThankGod Amadi.
Items recovered from the suspects include one Beretta pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition, one locally made pistol, two live cartridges, one live round of ammunition, two black berets, a cutlass, and a digger.
In a separate operation conducted in collaboration with the Joint Security Team, Operation Crush, police operatives arrested 31-year-old Bright Nnabugu of Umuobasi, Ugwunagbo Local Government Area.
The Command disclosed that the arrest also led to the recovery of a locally made single-barrel long gun, one expended cartridge, and a cutter with a high-tension wire.
The Police said investigations into both cases are ongoing, adding that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Reacting to the successful operations, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
He encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities through the nearest police station or the Command’s emergency hotlines.
