Police raid criminals’ hideout, recover two vehicles, arrest suspected cultist in Abia - The Guardian Nigeria News
The Abia State Police Command has raided a suspected hideout used by a vehicle theft syndicate in Isuochi, recovering two vehicles, while separately arresting a 28-year-old man over alleged cultism, threats and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The Police spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, disclosed this in two statements issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi.
According to Chinaka, operatives of the Isuochi Divisional Police Headquarters, acting on credible intelligence and in line with the commissioner’s directive on sustained intelligence-led operations, raided the suspected criminal hideout on September 25.
The operation led to the recovery of a white Dodge vehicle with registration number LAGOS APP-909KF and a red Toyota Camry with registration number ENU-43AZ.
The vehicles, she said, had been recovered and were in police custody, while investigation had commenced to identify and apprehend members of the syndicate allegedly connected with the hideout.
The command urged the public whose vehicles may have been stolen and could identify the recovered vehicles to visit the Police Headquarters, Umuahia with valid proof of ownership for identification.
In a related operation, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Aba North, arrested Ugochukwu Precious, 28, of Umuohia, Ogbor Hill, Aba, over allegations bordering on violent conduct, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.
The police said the arrest followed a report received by the RRS on September 22 concerning the suspect’s alleged failure to pay for an iPhone 17 Pro Max obtained under a payment-on-delivery arrangement in April.
According to the command, the dispute allegedly escalated after Precious failed to make payment and allegedly resorted to using thugs and threats against the seller.
Acting on intelligence gathered during the investigation, RRS operatives arrested the suspect, who the police said made confessional statements concerning the allegations.
A pump-action shotgun was subsequently recovered from him on September 23.
The command said investigation was ongoing, with efforts intensified to apprehend other members of the alleged gang who were still at large. The suspect would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling violent crime, cultism, vehicle theft and the unlawful possession of firearms in the state.
He also urged residents to support the police by providing timely and useful information on suspected criminal activities.
The command provided the following emergency numbers for security-related information: 08035415405, 08079210004, 08079210005 and 08079210006.
“Together, we keep Abia safe. See something, say something,” the command said.
