17 Suspected Cultists Arrested in Abia State

The Abia State Police Command has arrested 17 men suspected of being cultists. They warned that there is no room for cultism or any crime in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, shared this news in a statement on Wednesday. The statement was released through the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka.

The police report shows that the suspects are all males aged from 18 to 28 years.

According to the statement, the police recovered several items from the suspects. These include five short guns, three live rounds of ammunition, 13 mobile phones of different brands, two cutlasses, one axe, and a black beret.

There has been a rise in cult-related violence in the state. This includes an attack on May 13, 2026, at No. 29 Brass Road in Aba. A young man was shot and killed there by suspected cultists. Another attack happened on May 24, 2026, at Ehere, near Opobo Junction, where another young man was shot.

The Abia State Police Command used solid intelligence to confront these criminals. Officers from the Violent Crime Response Unit managed to arrest the 17 suspected cultists linked to the attacks in Aba, Abia State.

The suspects were caught at their meeting spots and while trying to carry out more crimes. The police recovered the mentioned items from them.

The investigation is over, and the suspects will face charges in court, the command said.

Isa emphasized the police's commitment to protecting lives and property. They are also focused on preventing and solving crimes in the state.

He assured the people that there would be no safe place for cultists or any criminal acts in Abia.

"While the Command continues its awareness campaign through the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices in schools and communities, we urge the public to work with the police. Report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station," Isa advised.

Cult-related violence has been a serious issue in parts of Abia State. This is especially true in busy areas like Aba, where fights between rival groups have led to deaths, injuries, and damage to property.

In response, the police have stepped up operations based on intelligence. They are also running public awareness campaigns to discourage young people from joining cults and to reduce related crimes.