News
Police Nab 30 Suspects, Recover 1,050 Stolen Fertilisers, Others
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested 30 suspects for their alleged criminal activities across the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, who disclosed this at the parade of the suspects at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, said among the items recovered from the alleged suspects, include 1,050 bags of fertiliser loaded in a trailer, a child and seven kidnap victims, among others.
Eboka disclosed that some of the suspects were involved in car theft, kidnapping and attempted procurement of arms, among other crimes.
According to him,some suspects have made useful statements that would aid the arrest of some fleeing suspects, assuring that they would be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded.
The state commissioner of police averred that operatives of Elimgbu undercover on June 10, 2022, responded to a distress call at Oil Mill Flyover where they arrested three suspected armed robbers, with a white Hilux car, who attacked one Mohammed Sule ‘m’, the driver of a DAF truck with Reg. No. PKM 491 XA, which carried I,050 bags of fertiliser valued N22, 000,000. 00 and the DAF truck valued N23,000,000.00 from Onne for delivery in Kano State.
The robbers attacked and took them to Igbo/Etche bush where they diverted the goods and lorry.
He, however, said that on sighting the police, the hijackers zoomed off,adding that the “operatives swung into action and gave them a hot chase, which led to their arrest while one of them was fatally wounded.
“Investigation is still in progress”.
He gave the names of suspectsas Jiddda Usman ‘m’ age 40 years old; Iliya Adamu ‘m’ age 34 years old; Haruna Garuba‘m’ age 33 years old; Emmanuel Iyam‘m’ age 21 years old; Musa Samaila‘m’and age 35 years old; and ZubairoAbdulasalem.
“On June 12, 2022, operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder while on routine patrol along Day Hotel, Rumuekini in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Port Harcourt, arrested one Kingsley Timothy of same address in possession of a firearm, and he could not give a satisfactory account of it. Investigation is ongoing.Exhibit recovered:one locally made single barrel gun.
“Also,on the June 2, 2022, operatives of the C4i Intelligence Unit, while on a follow-up of a case where one David Kalu Onyems ‘m’ was kidnapped between Abia and Rivers State boundary on May 19, 2022, arrested one Ubong Emmanuel ‘m’ who confessed to the crime, and led the operatives to a shallow grave where the victim was buried. The body has been exhumed and deposited at the mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination”.
According to him,”other suspects arrested as a result of follow-upinvestigations include, Kenneth Owhonda‘m’ aged 18years; Goodness Kalu Smart ‘m’ aged 18years; Dennis Igwe‘m’ aged 18years; IbentaOha‘m’ aged 18years; Idaresit Emmanuel Kpene a.k.a. Daddy Boy ‘m’ aged 20years; Favour John ‘m’ aged 18years; and Mercy Udoh‘m’ aged 43years. Exhibits recovered from them include; one AK-47 magazine, and one pistol.”
He said: “I want to share with you some lofty achievements we have recorded in the area of crime-fighting.
“We have the number of suspects paraded here at 30; the sum of N1.3million, six arms, eight ammunition, one magazine, were recovered, while seven kidnapped victims and one child were rescued.
“I want to reassure residents of the state that we are not going to rest on our oars to eradicate crime in Rivers State.”
The commissioner further disclosed that operatives of the C4i Intelligence Unit, while on intelligence report, followed up a case where one David Kalu Onyems, ‘m’, was kidnapped between Abia and Rivers State boundary on May 19, 2022, by a kidnap syndicate of 12 teenagers and on June 2, arrested one Ubong Emmanuel, who confessed to the crime and led the operatives to a shallow grave, where the victim was buried.
One of the suspects, Goodness Kalu Smart, male, 18 from Abia State, said: “I was involved in the kidnapping and the idea came from my boss. His name is Donald. He is from Rivers State. He introduced me to the kidnapping team and made us swear an oath.
“The first kidnapping job we did, I did not go with them but I slept in the bush with the victim, the same with the second job but the third one I was fully involved.
“After the victim died, our boss told us that since the man had died there was nothing for us. After three days, unknown to me our boss collected the man’s SIM card, he called me to go and pick up a package for him, which I did without knowing the content of the parcel.
“I went to the place and I met a man who gave me a bag filled with money and according to the man, he said it is N2million. Mr. Donald took the bag from me and I did not know it was from the man that died.
“So, after weeks I heard that two of my friends were arrested only for me to visit my mum a day after on the Saturday I was arrested alongside my mother.”
The CP, however, used the opportunityto thank God Almighty for his divine enablement to the command in its quest to rid the state of undesirable element and reduce crime to the barest minimum, and assured the citizens of the state that the momentum in the fight against crime and other vices will be sustained with gusto to ensure peace and tranquillity continue to reign in the state.
By: Amadi Akujobi
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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