Police storm cult meeting in Umuahia, apprehend suspects

Abia State Police Command has said that operatives of its Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, arrested three members of a  suspected criminal gang in Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA.

The Command said that the suspects were nabbed on July 6, 2027, after it received actionable intelligence that a suspected criminal gang numbering about 50 had gathered in Ubakala for cult activities.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Maureen Chinaka, on Friday said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, Olokoro, immediately raced to the scene.

The statement said three suspected gang members – Obioma Nmeribe, Emmanuel Lekwechi and Ikemefula ThankGod Amadi, were apprehended by the p8olice.

The police spokesperson listed the exhibits recovered from the arrested suspects to include one Beretta pistol with eight rounds, one locally- made pistol, two live cartridges, one live ammunition, two black berets, a cutlass and one digger.

In a related development, the Abia State Police Command said in collaboration with officers of the joint security team (Operation Crush), apprehended a 31-year-old  suspect, Bright Nnabugu of Umuobasi, Ugwunagbo LGA of Abia State.

According to the Abia State Police Command, the arrest which occurred on July 6, 2026, led to the recovery of a locally made single-barrel long gun, one expended cartridge, and one cutter with high-tension wire.

The Command noted that investigation is ongoing in the two matters and assured the Abia public that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.

Speaking on the arrests, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, advised residents to continue reporting any security concerns to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s Emergency hotlines.