Agorehmi Bright, Reporting
PORT HARCOURT — The Rivers State Police Command has dealt a significant blow to criminal networks across the state, arresting 18 suspects and recovering a staggering arsenal of 47 firearms during operations conducted between June and August 2026.
State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, revealed the command’s successes during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday, describing the haul as a testament to the force’s intelligence-led and proactive policing strategy.
In a particularly poignant breakthrough, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU-AKU) apprehended three members of a deadly gang responsible for the June 29 attack in Aluu that claimed the lives of two police officers and left another wounded during a routine stop-and-search operation. The suspects – Maduabuchi Emeka, 43; Chinedu Owhor, 42, popularly known as “Doctor”; and 28-year-old Kamachi Joe, alleged to be the gang’s armourer – reportedly led officers to their Omagwa hideout, where the two stolen AK-47 rifles were recovered. A fourth suspect remains at large.
“These arrests demonstrate our unwavering commitment to bringing those who attack our officers to justice,” CP Adepoju stated. “We will not rest until every member of this murderous gang faces the full weight of the law.”
The command also dismantled a suspected kidnapping syndicate terrorising Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities in Oyigbo Local Government Area, with five gang members including Ezekiel Emmanuel, Chukwuma Mbanefor, and 65-year-old Nicholas Diala now in custody. Two alleged associates, Anele Ogbogu, 35, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were subsequently arrested on July 27, with an AK-47 rifle and a submachine gun recovered from their possession.
In a separate operation, police responded to a Bonny woman’s complaint that her husband had threatened her with a firearm. Officers arrested 35-year-old Boma Dienye Allison on July 26, conducting a search of his premises that yielded two Beretta pistols, 97 rounds of live ammunition and one live cartridge. The investigation led to the further arrest of Dagogo Abusi, 30, and Richard Tolofari, 33.
Other notable arrests included suspected armed robbers and cultists Daddy Aleelo, 40, and Destiny Tor-ue, 22, on July 21, from whom officers recovered a locally made cut-to-size pistol, a double-barrel pump-action gun and five live cartridges.
CP Adepoju also revealed the arrest of two members of a “one-chance” robbery syndicate – Uche Samuel and Nkechi Amadi – who have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the criminal enterprise.
Perhaps most alarming was the August 10 interception of 49-year-old Andrew Atausi along Ada George, Port Harcourt, who was dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in army colours. The suspect confessed he was not a serving member of the Armed Forces, with further investigation linking him to a series of vehicle thefts. Police recovered three stolen Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premium bearing registration number BNY 380 ES from his possession.
In total, the command’s operations yielded 47 firearms of various calibres, 102 rounds of live ammunition, five live cartridges, 12 stolen vehicles, an axe, 11 cutlasses and military accoutrements.
CP Adepoju praised the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his leadership and support, while emphasising the command’s close collaboration with the military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other stakeholders to enhance security across the state.
The commissioner issued a stern warning to would-be criminals: “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 appealed to parents and guardians to monitor their children’s activities and acquaintances, cautioning against the dangers of cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and internet fraud.
CP Adepoju commended the gallantry of his officers and thanked the media and residents for their continued support, urgin%g the public to maintain the flow of credible information that has contributed significantly to the command’s achievements.
