Man allegedly shoots his friend during heated argument in Abuja

Wednesday, January 1, 2025 - A 33-year-old man, Obinna Nwigwe, has been arrested by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command

The man was nabbed for allegedly shooting his friend, Andrew Philemon, during a heated argument at the Najob Guest House in Bwari.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, describing it as a disturbing case of violent crime.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on Thursday, when police officers responded to a distress call about gunfire.

Adeh said upon arriving at the scene, they found Philemon critically injured from a gunshot wound.

She stated that Nwigwe, armed with a pump-action rifle, claimed the shooting was in self-defence after the argument escalated.

“Police officers swiftly responded to the distress call and arrested Obinna Nwigwe at the scene. A search of his residence later revealed a shocking cache of weapons,” Adeh stated.

The PPRO said other dangerous weapons were recovered from Nwigwe’s residence.
She said, “The search uncovered a cache of weapons, including five Dane guns, one English-made single-barrelled gun, an AK-47 magazine containing 29 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition, four live cartridges, 17 spent cartridges, a bow with arrows, various knives, a sword-stick, a toy gun, a taser, a bulletproof jacket, and multiple sets of police uniforms and boots.”

Adeh added that Philemon is currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Abuja, while Nwigwe remains in custody pending the conclusion of investigations.

The FCT police command reiterated its commitment to tackling violent crime and ensuring the safety of residents.

“This case highlights the need for vigilance and the dangers of illegal firearm possession. The suspect will face the full weight of the law,” she stated.

She said the FCT Police Commissioner, Tunji Disu,  urged the citizens to participate in maintaining security in the FCT.

“The safety and security of our community rely on the active participation of all citizens. We urge everyone to report any suspicious activities to the police,” the statement quoted Disu as saying.