The Abia State Police Command has arrested 13 suspected criminals in separate operations across the state as part of its intensified crackdown on armed robbery, cultism and the vandalism of government property.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement made available to Channels Television on Wednesday. She said operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and various divisional formations carried out the arrests through intelligence-led operations.

Among those arrested was 27-year-old, who was intercepted at Ubakala in Umuahia while allegedly transporting a vandalised large galvanised pipeline concealed beneath sawdust in a Toyota Hiace bus. The police said efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate who fled.

In a separate operation, operatives of the VCRU in Aba North arrested another 27-year-old for allegedly robbing a victim at gunpoint along Market Road by Rail in Aba. A locally made pistol and live cartridges were recovered from the suspect.

Also, officers attached to the Uratta Divisional Police Station arrested two suspects over an alleged armed robbery attack at a hotel in Aba. A firearm and live ammunition were recovered during the operation.

The Command further said operatives of the VCRU on Bende Road, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected cult meeting at Umuezeagwu in Umuahia North, where several suspects were arrested.

Items recovered during the raid included a pump-action gun, a Beretta pistol, live cartridges, a cutlass, an axe, substances suspected to be hard drugs, walkie-talkies, a face mask, two red berets and one black beret.

The police said investigations into the various cases are ongoing, adding that all the suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to continue supporting security efforts by providing timely and credible information to the nearest police station or through its emergency lines. (Channels)