Abia command nabs man over gun possession

File: A Nigerian Policeman.

The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old man, Ugochukwu Precious, for alleged violent criminal activities and unlawful possession of firearms.

The suspect, a resident of Umuohia, Ogbor Hill, Aba, was arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad following a report over an allegedly unpaid iPhone 17 Pro Max.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi.

Chinaka said the command received a report on Tuesday that the suspect obtained the phone on a payment-on-delivery arrangement in April 2026 but allegedly failed to pay for it.

She said the matter escalated when the suspect allegedly resorted to threats and the use of thugs against the seller.

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“Leveraging actionable intelligence, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Abia State Police Command, apprehended the suspect, who has made confessional statements affirming the allegations,” the statement said.

According to the police, a pump-action shotgun was recovered from the suspect on Wednesday, a day after his arrest.

The command said investigations were ongoing, while efforts were being made to arrest other suspected members of his gang who were still at large.

The suspect, the police added, would be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The Commissioner of Police urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and continue to provide the police with timely and useful information to aid crime prevention.

Sunday Nwakanma is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 25 years of professional experience in reporting. He is based in Abia State and has worked across local, regional, and national newspapers, covering a wide range of public affairs issues. Sunday’s work reflects extensive newsroom experience, multiple professional recognitions, and a strong commitment to press freedom and responsible journalism.

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