The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring public safety and security, assuring members of the public that efforts will continue to be made to apprehend and bring perpetrators of crime in the state to justice.
The CP also urged members of the public to be vigilant and report suspicious individuals with gunshot wounds to the nearest security agency. This charge came after the command encountered fierce armed resistance from suspected kidnappers, leading to exchange of gunfire.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, on Thursday revealed that while the gang leader was neutralized during the engagement, several other gang members escaped with varying degrees of bullet wounds. The police spokesperson explained that, “in a daring operation, on the 25th May, 2025, operatives from the Rumuji Division of the Rivers State Police Command neutralized a suspected notorious kidnapper and murderer, David Uzoma Kamalu, ‘m’ a.k a. M-Kaze and recovered exhibits in a tactical raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Rumuodogu 1 Community, Emohua Local Government Area.
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“The operation, which commenced at about 0100hrs was the culmination of days of intensive intelligence gathering, showcasing the command’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge intelligence to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks. During the operation, the police operatives encountered fierce armed resistance from the gang members, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
In the ensuing engagement, M-Kaze was neutralized, while several other gang members escaped with varying degrees of bullet wounds”. Irinke-Koko noted that “a thorough search of the hideout yielded a cache of incriminating exhibits, including one pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, various local charms believed to be used for protection and intimidation.
According to the police, “the deceased suspect, M-Kaze, was a high-value target with a notorious reputation for orchestrating heinous crimes against innocent citizens. “Due to his egregious crimes and notorious leadership of a kidnapping syndicate, a bounty was placed on M-Kaze’s head by the then Chairman of Emohua LGA and this declaration underscores the significant threats he has posed to the safety and security of the community.
“He was declared wanted by law enforcement agencies for his involvement in the gruesome murder and beheading of a local security operative popularly called “Hunter Commander”, Mr. Alete, in January 2025, and multiple high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies along the East-West Road corridor, terrorizing residents and commuters.
Iringe-Koko further gave the assurance that investigation was currently ongoing and that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing gang members. Also, she urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals with gunshot wounds to the nearest security agency. “All recovered items have been meticulously documented as crucial exhibits for further investigation and potential prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, reiterates the commitment to ensuring public safety and security, and assures the public that efforts will continue to be made to apprehend and bring to justice all perpetrators of crime in the state.
