NEWS
Police Arrest 28-Year-Old, Ugochukwu Precious Over Alleged Cultism, Threats; Recover Pump-Action Gun in Ogbor-hill, Aba
The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old man, Ugochukwu Precious, over alleged involvement in violent criminal gang activities, cultism, threats and unlawful possession of firearms in Aba.
Precious, a resident of Umuohia, Ogbor Hill, Aba, was apprehended by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Aba North, following a report received by the squad on September 22, 2026.
According to the police, the matter arose from an allegation that the suspect obtained an iPhone 17 Pro Max from a seller under a payment-on-delivery arrangement in April 2026 but allegedly failed to make payment.
The Command said the situation later escalated when the suspect allegedly resorted to threats and the use of thugs against the seller after efforts to recover the outstanding payment. Following actionable intelligence gathered during the investigation, operatives of the RRS moved to arrest the suspect.
The police said Precious subsequently made confessional statements during interrogation, allegedly admitting to the accusations against him.
In a further breakthrough, operatives on September 23 recovered a pump-action shotgun from the suspect.
The recovery of the firearm has widened the scope of the investigation, with the police now working to identify and apprehend other alleged members of the gang who are currently at large.
The Command said investigation into the case is ongoing and that the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, psc(+), mnips, JP, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling cultism, violent crimes and the illegal possession of firearms across the state.
The Commissioner also called on members of the public to support the police by remaining law-abiding and providing timely and useful information that could assist security agencies in preventing and combating crime.
The police statement was signed by DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, spokesperson for the Abia State Command, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, on September 25, 2026.