The Abia State Police Command has arrested three suspected cultists and recovered weapons and other exhibits during a raid in the Ubakala area of the state.

The command also arrested another suspect for allegedly stealing and vandalising government property.

According to a statement on Friday by the police spokesperson, Maureen Chioma Chinaka, the operation followed actionable intelligence about a planned cult gathering.

“On 07/07/2026, leveraging on actionable intelligence that a suspected criminal gang numbering about 50 had gathered in the Ubakala axis for cult activities, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Olokoro, raced to the scene,” she said.

The police identified the suspects as Obioma Nmeribe, 22; Emmanuel Lekwechi, 25; Ikemefulla ThankGod Amadi, 25; and Bright Nnabugu, 31.

Exhibits such as one Beretta pistol with eight rounds, one locally made pistol, two live cartridges, one live ammunition, two black berets, and one cutlass were recovered.

Other items recovered during the raid include one digger, one locally made single-barrel long gun, one expended cartridge, one cutter, and high-tension wire.

In a separate operation, Ms Chinaka said police officers, working with other security agencies under Operation Crush, arrested Bright Nnabugu, 31, of Umuobasi in Ugunabor Local Government Area on July 6.

She said officers recovered a locally made single-barrel gun, one expended cartridge, and a cutter with a high-tension wire from the suspect.

The spokesperson said investigations are ongoing and that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.