The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man, Chigozirim Elem, for allegedly vandalising and stealing government property from unallocated shops at the Ubani Government Market in Umuahia.
The Command disclosed this in a press statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, and made available to ABN TV.
According to the statement, the suspect, an indigene of Amasiri, Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, who resides in Ugwunchara, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, was apprehended by operatives of the Mike Okiro Divisional Police Headquarters in collaboration with members of the community vigilante.
The Police said the arrest followed actionable intelligence linking the suspect to the alleged vandalism of four unallocated shops at the Ubani Government Market on July 11, 2026.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly gained unlawful access to the shops, maliciously damaged parts of the buildings and carted away four double iron doors and one single iron door belonging to the Abia State Government.
The Command stated that the suspect attempted to flee upon sighting security operatives but was swiftly apprehended, while all the stolen items were successfully recovered.
The recovered exhibits include four double doors and one single iron door, all believed to have been removed from the affected government-owned shops.
According to the Police, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, while the suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting public infrastructure and maintaining law and order, the Abia State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency hotlines.
The Command emphasized that safeguarding public assets is a collective responsibility and appealed to members of the public to continue partnering with the Police in the fight against crime.
“Together, we keep Abia safe. See something, say something,” the statement concluded.
