Defence, Security
THE Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspected cult members and recovered firearms, ammunition and other weapons during operations in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Umuahia on Friday.
The suspects were identified as Obioma Nmeribe, 22; Emmanuel Lekwechi, 25; Ikemefula Amadi, 25; and Bright Nnabugu, 31.
According to Chinaka, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Olokoro Unit, acted on credible intelligence on July 7, that about 50 suspected cult members had gathered in the Ubakala area for cult-related activities.
She said the operatives immediately mobilised to the location, where they arrested the suspects and recovered several exhibits.
Items recovered included one Beretta pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition, one locally made pistol, two live cartridges, one live round of ammunition, two black berets, a cutlass and a digger.
Chinaka also disclosed that on July 6, police operatives, working in collaboration with the military under Operation Crush, arrested one Bright Nnabugu of Umuobasi in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area.
She said exhibits recovered from him include one locally made single-barrel gun, one expended cartridge and one cutter used for cutting high-tension wires.
The police spokesperson said investigations into the two cases were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
She quoted the Commissioner of Police in Abia, Mr Danladi Isa, as urging residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information on criminal activities.
Isa also encouraged members of the public to report security concerns to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines: 08035415405, 08079210004, 08079210005 and 08079210006. (NAN)
W.U
July 10, 2026
Tags: DSP Maureen Chinaka