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Escapee Ritualist: Police Detain DPO, Inspector …Arrest 23 Suspects In Rivers
In a sustained effort to rid Rivers State of all forms of criminality and crime, the State Police Command has paraded 23 suspects arrested in different locations across the state for various criminal activities.
This is even as the state police command has arrested and detained a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and an Inspector, in connection with the ritual murder of eight-year-old Chikamso Victory in Port Harcourt.
Among the suspects arrested and paraded by the police include one Roland Peter, a member of the notorious kidnapping gang from Edoha in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state, who allegedly kidnapped and killed Pastor Samuel Okpara on August 15, 2017, and used his liver, intestine as well as other private parts to cook plantain pepper soup.
The state Commissioner of Police, Zaki Mohammed Ahmed disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt, last Monday.
Zaki added that the police got tip off that the kidnap gang led by one Justus popularly called High Tension from Abarikpo in Ahoada East Local Government Area was in possession of various riffles and other weapons.
The police commissioner further disclosed that operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), in a convert operation, arrested a four-man gang, who allegedly robbed the manager of an old generation bank of her Toyota Corolla.
He stated that the four suspects had connived with her gateman and two of her drivers to snatch the vehicle, which according to him, had been recovered from Lagos State.
The state police boss while giving a breakdown of the command’s achievements, disclosed that five suspected cultists, seven alleged kidnappers and 13 armed robbery suspects were arrested while 13 kidnap victims were rescued.
The CP insisted that five robbery incidents were also foiled by operatives of the command.
He averred that 25 riffles, including three AK-47 riffles, one locally-made pistol, five Pump Action guns, one single barrel gun, 65 cartridges, 156 live ammunition, four magazines and nine vehicles were also recovered during the recent onslaught against criminality and crime in the state.
He, however, said that the event of 19th August, 2017, in which a suspected ritualist, Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell Dike, a 200-level student of University of Port Harcourt murdered and disremembered one Miss Victory Chikamso Mesu for alleged ritual purposes and also escaped from police custody had left a sour taste and created doubt in the command’s avowed fight against crime and criminality.
“I am totally committed in seeing that the suspect is re-arrested and any person involved, regardless of status in aiding the escape of the suspect, will be arrested, and if found culpable, will be dealt with according to the law.
“Consequently, in pursuit of this resolve, one ex-sergeant Johnbosco Okoroeze, who after thorough investigation was discovered to have carried out a pre-meditated action in aiding the escape of the suspect, has been charged to court.
“The said ex-sergeant was tried in a Police Orderly Room for which evidence tendered during the trial revealed that he unilaterally, in a pre-meditated action, released the suspect to run away before raising false alarm of his escape.
“He was accordingly dismissed from the force and charged to court for accessory after the fact to murder, perverting the course of justice and permitting the escape of a murder suspect”, Zaki stated.
He used the opportunity to call for the end of blame game in the matter while asking interested persons in the case to come with a resolve to help the police in seeing that the suspect was re-arrested and brought to face the full wrath of the law.
The police commissioner said that a handsome reward of N1million has already been pledged by the command, even as he said, a second suspect in the crime had also been arrested.
Similarly, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Rivers State (names withheld) has been arrested on the orders of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zaki Mohammed Ahmed, in connection with the escape of the suspected ritualist and rapist, Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell Dike, from police detention.
It would be recalled that Dike was arrested by Okporo Police Station in Port Harcourt while he was trying to dispose of the dismembered body of his eight-year old female relative, Miss Victory Chikamso Mesu, whom he raped and later killed for ritual purposes.
Also, a Police Inspector (names withheld) who led the team of policemen that brought the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt, where he was handed over to the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), former Sergeant Johnbosco Okoroeze, has also been arrested.
Okoroeze, who has already been dismissed from the police, was last Friday, arraigned and remanded in prison custody by a Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly aiding the escape of Dike.
A source at the SCID headquarters in Port Harcourt told newsmen that the DPO and an Inspector were arrested following revelations that they had prior knowledge of what had happened before the escape of the suspect.
The source said, “The father of the victim was uncomfortable when the police team stopped on the road for the Inspector to answer a call. It was later found out that it was the DPO who called him to expect a call from an IPO, who will be in charge of the case.
“When the Inspector’s phone was checked, there was a call from one Johnbosco, who was the IPO and by the rules of the force, a DPO cannot assign an IPO to a matter that is no longer under him. So, the DPO and Inspector were invited and arrested,” the source added.
Amarachi Anene
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.