Operatives of the Abia State Police Command have arrested three suspects over armed robbery and cult-related activities, while exhibits were recovered.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, who made this disclosure through a statement issued on Sunday, 31 August, 2025 to newsmen on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, listed the names of the suspects to be “Udaka Justin, male, 36 years of Akata Village, Orlu East LGA, Imo State, Chukwuebuka Michael Nnebedun, male, 24 years, of Arondizuogu, Ideato North LGA, Imo State, and Prince David (24), of Arodizuogu, Ideato North LGA, Imo State”.
According to the statement, the recovered exhibits include one short locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one double-edged machete, one battle axe, one black face mask, one sachet of substances suspected to be Indian Hemp and one Auto-rickshaw (Keke NAPEP)
The statement read, “On 23/08/2025 at about 9:30 pm, operatives of the Quick Intervention Unit (QIU), Abia State Police Command, while conducting stop-and-search operations at Umuagu by School Signboard, flagged down an autorickshaw (Keke NAPEP) with registration number MBL801VJ, blue in colour, carrying five occupants, including the rider.
“The rider pretended that the tricycle had developed a fault when stopped, giving room for two of the occupants to jump out and escape. However, three suspects were apprehended.
“Upon searching the suspects, operatives recovered the following exhibits: one locally made short pistol, three live cartridges, one double-edged machete, one battle axe, one black face mask, and one sachet of substances suspected to be Indian Hemp and the Auto-rickshaw (Keke NAPEP).”
According to the statements, the suspects and the recovered exhibits, have been taken into custody, while the investigation is ongoing.
The statement quoted Isa to have used the opportunity to reiterate the command’s commitment to reducing crime in Abia State to the barest minimum and urged the people of the state to continue collaborating with the police by promptly reporting suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.
