Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old man, Ugochukwu Precious, over alleged violent criminal gang activities, cultism and the unlawful possession of a firearm, following a complaint about an unpaid iPhone 17 Pro Max that escalated into threats and intimidation.
Precious, a resident of Umuohia, Ogbor Hill, Aba, was apprehended by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Aba North, following a report received on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi. The complaint alleged that Precious obtained the iPhone 17 Pro Max from a seller under a payment-on-delivery arrangement in April 2026 but failed to make payment for the device.
The matter allegedly escalated when the suspect resorted to threats and engaged thugs to intimidate the seller, according to the police statement. "Based on actionable intelligence, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS Abia State Police Command, apprehended the suspect, who has made confessional statements affirming the allegations," the statement read.
Further investigation led to the recovery of a pump-action shotgun from the suspect on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the suspect's alleged gang who were still at large. Precious will be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations, the police said.
The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Afolabi, reaffirmed the command's commitment to tackling cultism, violent crimes and the unlawful possession of firearms across the state. He urged residents to remain law-abiding and assist the police by providing timely and useful information that could help prevent crime.
The arrest is the latest in a series of operations by the Abia State Police Command targeting criminal activity in the state. In recent months, the command has arrested suspects over motorcycle theft, drug dealing and cult-related violence, recovering firearms and suspected cannabis in the process. The command has consistently urged members of the public to report suspicious activities, stressing that community cooperation remains critical to effective policing. The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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