Abia Police Arrest 17 Cultists, Say No Place for Cultism

The Abia State Police Command has made it clear that cultism and other crimes have no place in the state.

Danladi Isa, the Abia State Commissioner of Police, shared this message in a statement on Wednesday. The statement was issued through the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, who also announced the arrest of 17 cultists in the state.

The statement revealed that all the arrested cultists are males aged between 18 and 28 years.

Among the items recovered from the suspects are five short guns, three live ammunition, thirteen mobile phones of different makes, two cutlasses, one axe, and a black beret.

The police reported, “Following the recent rise in cult-related activities in the state, including an attack on 13/05/2026 at No. 29 Brass Road, Aba. A young man was shot and macheted to death by suspected cultists; and another attack on 24/05/2026 at Ehere, near Opobo Junction, where another young man was shot by suspected cultists.”

“The Abia State Police Command, acting on actionable intelligence, took the fight to the criminals. Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested seventeen suspected cultists linked to these incidents in Aba, Abia State.”

“The suspects were caught at different meeting points and while trying to commit more crimes. The items listed above were recovered from them. The investigation is complete, and the suspects are going to court.”

Isa emphasized the command’s strong commitment to protecting lives and property. He also mentioned the importance of preventing and detecting crime in the state.

Isa assured the people of Abia, “There will be no hiding place for cultism and other criminal activities in the state.”

He added, “While we continue our awareness campaign through the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) in schools and communities, we urge the public to work with the Police by reporting any suspicious people or activities to the nearest police station.”

Cult-related violence continues to be a major concern in parts of Abia State, especially in busy areas like Aba. Clashes between rival groups have sometimes led to deaths, injuries, and damage to property.

In response, the police have stepped up intelligence-led operations and public awareness campaigns through POCACOV. This is to discourage young people from joining cults and to reduce related crimes.