The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old man suspected of involvement in motorcycle theft and resale, with police also recovering three motorcycles, a locally made firearm and substances suspected to be cannabis.

The suspect, identified as Ebuka Nwakerindu from Umuokoromiri Village in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, was arrested by operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi.

According to the statement, the operation followed actionable intelligence received by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit concerning a suspected criminal hideout at Onitsha Ngwa in Obingwa Local Government Area.

Police operatives carried out a coordinated raid at the location on September 23, 2026. The statement said the suspect and other individuals fled after sighting the officers.

One locally made single-barrel long gun and a 50kg bag containing substances suspected to be Cannabis sativa were recovered from the location.

The police subsequently arrested Nwakerindu on September 24, 2026, alleging that he specialised in stealing motorcycles and reselling them. Three motorcycles believed to have been stolen were also recovered from him.

The command said the operation was conducted pursuant to the directive of the Commissioner of Police and in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s emphasis on intelligence-led policing.

Efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the other suspects who escaped during the operation, while the recovered items have been taken into police custody.

The police said Nwakerindu would be prosecuted after investigations into the case are completed.

The Commissioner of Police also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations, proactive crime prevention and the protection of lives and property throughout Abia State.