Operatives of the Rivers Police Command said they have arrested five suspects involved in different heinous crimes in parts of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nwonyi Emeka, who spoke yesterday, on their achievements, during a briefing, said in less than a week, the command arrested five suspects, recovered three Arms, three Live Cartridges, two Ammunition, three vehicles, one vehicle tyre and two masks from the suspects.
According to CP Emeka: “A team of operatives of Anti-Cultism Unit of the Command, on June 17, 2023 at about 19:30hrs, upon credible information, stormed a criminal hideout at Bumu Tai, in Tai LGA of Rivers State and arrested one Kenneth Mkpeh, who is a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.
“One portable English-made Baretta pistol was recovered from him. Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that he bought the pistol from one Ishmaila Lee ‘M,’ a Philipino that works in a Fertilizer Company, Lagos State.”
The CP said an investigation has commenced to apprehend other members of his cult group.
Similarly, three suspected cultists were arrested on Saturday night with a pistol by the Anti-Cultism unit of the command along Igwuruta axis of Ikwerre Local Government Area.
“Operatives of Rivers State Police Command attach to Anti-cultism Unit, on June 16, 2023 at about 23:56hrs, while on patrol along Rukpokwu Market, stopped a Toyota Corolla, ash colour with Reg. No. SMK 476 DP registered in Lagos, with three occupants: Loveday Friday, 26years, resident of Igwuruta, Rivers State.
“On conducting a search of the said car, one locally made pistol, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, and two masks were recovered from the suspects.”
The police boss also revealed that “On June 18, 2023 at about 09:00hrs, Operatives of C4i Intelligence Unit, acting on a tip-off, swung into action and arrested one Osinachi Ngwakwe aged 21years, a native of Ubakala in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State but resident at Rumukwushi, Port Harcourt.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a four-man gang that specialises in armed robbery and has been terrorising Port Harcourt and its environs. An operational vehicle, one Toyota Sienna Car with Reg No. LND 320 HF, was recovered.”
CP Emeka disclosed that the suspect has been detained in police custody for a discreet investigation with a view to apprehending other members of the gang and recovering their operational weapons.
Also as part of the achievements, the CP said: “On June 18, 2023 at about 13:00hrs, Operatives of Special Area Division, received a report from One Nwankwo Jude of NTA Road Mbuoba, that he parked his Toyota Camry Car Black in Color with registration number ABJ 74 AE along their street, suddenly he heard a noise, immediately he came out and saw a stranger driving his car out of the street.
“He raised the alarm, and a patrol team at Rumuigbo, swiftly intercepted, and arrested the suspect, one Enobong Maffet, 32years, from Akwa Ibom State”.
Meanwhile, the CP has called on residents of the state to be open and supportive to security operatives in the fight against crime, stressing that “Curbing crime in our society is a collective job.”
