The Abia State Police Command has arrested 17 suspected cultists in connection with the m8rder of two young men in Aba.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 said the suspects, aged between 18 and 28 years, were arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following the recent upsurge in cult-related activities in the state.
According to the PPRO, on May 13, 2026 at No. 29 Brass Road, Aba, a young man was shot and macheted to d3ath by a group of suspected cultists.
She stated that another young man was shot d3ad by suspected cultists on May 24, 2026 at Ehere, near Opobo Junction.
DSP Chinaka added that police recovered 5 short guns, three live ammunition, thirteen (13) mobile phones of different make, cutlasses, one axe and on black beret from the suspects.
“The Abia State Police Command, leveraging on actionable intelligence, took the fight to the criminals. Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) successfully apprehended seventeen (17) suspected cultists linked to the aforementioned incidents in Aba, Abia State,” the statement read.
“The suspects were arrested at their various meeting points and while en route to perpetrate further crimes and the above-listed exhibits were recovered from them. Investigation has been concluded and the suspects are being charged to court.
“The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to its constitutional duties of protecting lives and property, as well as preventing and detecting crime in the state.
“He assures Abians that there will be no hiding place for cultism and other criminal activities in the State.
“While the Command continues its awareness campaign through the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) unit in schools and communities, members of the public are advised to partner with the Police by reporting any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or via the Command’s emergency hotlines: 08035415405, 08079210004, 08079210005, 08079210006. Together, We keep Abia safe.”