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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested 18 suspects and recovered 47 firearms, 102 rounds of live ammunition, and 12 stolen vehicles during various operations conducted between June and August 2026.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Adepoju said the achievements were recorded as part of the command’s efforts to rid the state of criminal elements through intelligence-led and proactive policing.
The CP said three members of the gang that attacked police officers on stop-and-search duty in Aluu on June 29, 2026, had been arrested.
According to him, two police officers were killed during the attack, while others were wounded, with one officer suffering an injury that resulted in the amputation of his leg. The hoodlums also made away with two AK-47 rifles.
Adepoju said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU, arrested three suspects identified as 34-year-old Maduabuchi Emeka, the alleged gang leader; 42-year-old Chinedu Owhor, popularly known as Doctor; and 28-year-old Kamachi Joe, the alleged armourer.
He said the suspects confessed during interrogation and led the police to their hideout in Omagwa, where the two stolen AK-47 rifles were recovered.
The CP added that the police were still on the trail of the fourth suspect.
Adepoju said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as 44-year-old Ezekiel Emmanuel, 51-year-old Chukwuma Mbanefor, 65-year-old Nicholas Diala and two others.
He said the suspects confessed to carrying out kidnappings in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
The CP added that on July 27, 2026, two other suspects allegedly linked to the syndicate, 35-year-old Anele Ogbogu, the alleged armourer, and 38-year-old Kenneth Eke, were arrested.
One AK-47 rifle and one submachine gun were recovered from the suspects, according to him.
The commissioner said the command also recovered firearms and ammunition following a complaint by a woman, identified as Mrs Mina Boma of Bonny, who alleged that her husband threatened her with a firearm.
He said police operatives arrested 35-year-old Boma Dienye Allison on July 26, 2026, following the complaint.
A search of his premises led to the recovery of two Beretta pistols, 97 rounds of live ammunition and one live cartridge.
Adepoju said further investigation led to the arrest of 30-year-old Dagogo Abusi and 33-year-old Richard Tolofari.
The CP said two suspects, identified as 40-year-old Daddy Aleelo and 22-year-old Destiny Tor-ue, were arrested on July 21, 2026, over alleged armed robbery and cult-related activities.
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He said the police recovered one locally made cut-to-size pistol, one double-barrel pump-action gun and five live cartridges from the suspects, who reportedly confessed to several criminal activities.
Adepoju added that two suspected members of a one-chance robbery syndicate, 45-year-old Uche Samuel and 42-year-old Nkechi Amadi, were also arrested and had confessed to their involvement in the crime.
The commissioner said the command also recovered 12 stolen vehicles during the period under review.
According to him, on August 10, 2026, police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted and arrested 49-year-old Andrew Atausi along Ada George, Port Harcourt.
Adepoju said the suspect was dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
He said the suspect confessed that he was not a member of the Armed Forces, while further investigation revealed that he was allegedly involved in serial car theft.
Three suspected stolen Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES were recovered from him.
The commissioner said the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had been tampered with.
An axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from the suspect.
Adepoju said the command’s operations during the period under review resulted in the arrest of 18 suspects and the recovery of 47 firearms of different calibres, 12 stolen vehicles, 102 rounds of live ammunition, five live cartridges, an axe and 11 cutlasses.
The commissioner assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing to tackle crime in the state.
He said the police were working closely with the military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other stakeholders to improve security.
Adepoju also commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his leadership and support.
He urged residents to continue providing credible information to the police, stressing that such information had contributed significantly to the command’s achievements.
The CP also appealed to parents and guardians to monitor their children and know their friends, warning them against cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and internet fraud.
He said: “Rivers State will not be a safe haven for criminals. We will find you, we will dismantle your networks, we will recover your weapons, and we will prosecute you.”
Adepoju commended officers and men of the command for their gallantry and thanked the media and residents for their support in the fight against crime.
