Task Force Recovers 179 Arms, Ammunition

The Rivers State Police Command says it has recovered 179 arms and caches of prohibited ammunition in the state as part of the ongoing disarmament and illegal arms mop up exercise in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the achievements of the special task force on disarmament in the state headed by DCP Stephen Hasso at the police headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Zaki explained that 179 different kind of firearms, 437 ammunition and 275 cartridges have so far been recovered in the ongoing sensitization exercise.
He announced that the exercise has been extended to April 21, 2018, and added that the arms so far recovered were submitted by individuals as well as a mob exercise
CP AHMED appealed to members of the public who are still in possession of illegal firearms to catch up with the window to submit their firearms before the expiration of the deadline or be ready to face the force from the command.
CP AHMED also reinstated the commitment of the command to ensure protection of lives and property just as he called for the continuous support from the public.
Our correspondent reports that the taskforce to visit riverine communities in continuation of the disarmament exercise.
Meanwhile, unknown gunmen, last Monday, along Owaza Road in Abia State reportedly shot and killed the Divisional Police Officer, in-charge of Rumuolumeni Division in Rivers State Police Command, Superintendent of Police, Kingsley Chukueggu.
A source said the incident occurred early hours of Monday morning on his way back to Port Harcourt from his home town in Abia State.
According to the source, the unknown bandits trailed the DPO from his home town, and ambushed him at Owaza, a community near Omuma Local Government of Area of Rivers State and shot him severally, adding that the late DPO died at the spot.
However, The Tide learnt that his death may not be unconnected with the high profile criminal cases he was handling in his division in recent times.