The Commissioner of Police in Abia, Ene Okon, said on Monday that the command arrested five persons in the last 10 months, including a dismissed Major-General, for allegedly dealing in firearms.

He said that the army general (name withheld) was arrested last week with some firearms in Aba, the commercial hub of the state.

The commissioner spoke at a news briefing in his office to highlight the achievements of the command since he assumed office in February.

He said that the command arrested 127 armed robbery suspects, 114 kidnap suspects and 150 alleged cult members during the period.

He said that they also arrested 20 persons for alleged motorcycle snatching, adding that the command recovered 22 stolen motorcycles.

Mr Okon also said that the command rescued 79 kidnap victims and recovered 88 vehicles, 120 firearms and 528 ammunition.

He said that 658 suspects were currently facing prosecution for different criminal charges, Daily Nigerian reports.

The police boss also paraded 25 persons arrested in the last one-and-a-half weeks in connection with armed robbery, car and tricycles snatching in Ubakala Umuahia.

He said that the suspects included a 12-member syndicate that allegedly specialised in the theft and dismantling of cars, which they sold to ready buyers in parts.

According to him, “this syndicate steals people’s vehicles at gunpoint and within 10 minutes to 20 minutes, they would dismantle them that it would be difficult for the owner to recognise.

“They will in turn sell the dismantled parts of the vehicles to buyers, who are already waiting at their hideout in Ubakala.”

He said that 12 members of the syndicate were arrested, while the hideout had been razed down.

Mr Okon further said that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) busted a notorious cartel that dealt in hard drugs at Ntigha in Isialangwa North council area of the state.

He said that the operatives made some arrests and recovered large quantities of cocaine and cannabis sativa, while two leaders of the cartel, who are natives of the area, reportedly escaped.

He said that the suspects would be properly arraigned at the end of the ongoing investigations.

He regretted that the command lost at least eight of its operatives in the line of duty in 2019.