Emmanuel Nlewedum, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Command said it has arrested 18 suspects for various crimes in the state, recovering 47 firearms, 102 rounds of live ammunition, five live cartridges, an axe, 11 cutlasses and 12 stolen vehicles.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju who disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt, said the suspects where arrested during various operations conducted between June and August 2026, across the state.
CP Adepoju said the achievements were part of the command’s efforts to rid the state of criminal elements through intelligence-led and proactive policing.
According to he CP, among the 18 suspects were three members of a deadly gang that attacked and killed two police officers, injured one during a stop-and-search duty in Aluu on June 29, 2026, and made away with two AK-47 rifles.
Adepoju said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU, arrested three suspects; Maduabuchi Emeka (43), Chinedu Owhor (42) 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. He added that the police were still on the trail of the fourth suspect.
The CP noted that five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate; Ezekiel Emmanuel, Chukwuma Mbanefor, 65-year-old Nicholas Diala and two others, terrorising Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communitieswere were also arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area during the period.
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”, he added.
The commissioner said the command also recovered firearms and ammunition following a complaint by a woman, identified as Mrs Minna 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. “Further investigation led to the arrest of 30-year-old Dagogo Abusi and 33-year-old Richard Tolofari,” he said.
Speaking further, CP Adepoju also noted that “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.
“Our men dedicated to their duty, 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.”
CP Adepoju added that two suspected members of a one-chance robbery syndicate, Uche Samuel and 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.
The Rivers Police Boss added that 12 vehicles were also recovered from the hoodlums. He said, “Three suspected stolen Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premium with registration number BNY 380 ES were recovered from him.
He 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. An axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from the suspect,”
The commissioner assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing to tackle crime in the state.
Adepoju who commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his leadership and support, said the police is working closely with the military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other stakeholders to improve security in the state.
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 declared that “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.”
He however commended officers and men of the command for their gallantry and thanked the media and residents for their support in the fight against crime.
