The Rivers State Police Command says it has apprehended 33 suspects linked to crimes such as cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and human trafficking, while also recovering eight explosive devices in different parts of the state.
The command further disclosed that about 8,000 rounds of ammunition were seized as part of its intensified clampdown on criminal activities across the oil-rich state.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, made this known on Thursday during a joint security briefing in Port Harcourt. He explained that the breakthrough was achieved in collaboration with sister security agencies over the past seven months (January to August), noting that most major cases were cracked within the period of the state of emergency declared in the state.
According to him, some of the suspects arrested include seven cultists who murdered Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Bright Owhor, in the D/Line axis of the state capital.
Adepoju stated, “In the past months, the Rivers State Police Command, working in close synergy with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and other critical security stakeholders, have made remarkable progress in our sustained operations to curb criminal activities across the State.
“Through this united effort, we have intensified our crackdown on violent crimes, leading to the arrest of numerous suspects involved in heinous offences such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, human trafficking, and murder, as well as the recovery of vital exhibits.
“Arrest of vandals at an oil-spilled well in Kpean community, Khana Local Government Area. The crime was committed on August 10, 2025.”
He named some of the suspected vandals as Joseph Nsukpe (38), James Nkpogio (20), Godspower Ngbam (28), Happy Mdor (27), and Apolebabari Ibede (35), among others.
Adepoju added that among the recovered explosives were “Three GXI Dynamites.”
The suspects linked to the murder of the lawyer were listed as Prince Samuel (30), Daniel Godwin (25), Henry Peter (24), Godfrey Emmanuel a.k.a. Ibu (30, gang leader), Chukwu Nneji (34), Justice Dimkpa (27), and Promise Wikere (22).
The commissioner also disclosed that items recovered from suspects included 11 MTN SIM cards, four locally made pistols, seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, two live cartridges, one minibus, and one Toyota Camry.
He further broke down the recoveries as: “21 AK 47 rifles, 66 locally made guns, 800 ammunition, four magazines, eight Revolver pistols, 115 vehicles, 34 pump action and two Dane guns. Others listed include two Scorpions Sub-Machine Guns, one Lar rifle, eight explosives, 33 arrested suspects, 10 English-made pistols, two GMP, 67 Cartridges and 15 conventional ammunition.”
Adepoju praised the collaboration among security agencies, reaffirming the command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property in the state.
He said, “These operations reflect a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and ensure public confidence in law enforcement agencies, especially as it concerns the upcoming chairmanship/councillorship elections.”
The police boss also urged members of the public to support security agencies with credible intelligence to improve safety efforts.
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