The Rivers State Police Command says it has made significant breakthroughs in its fight against crime across the state, with the arrest of suspected vandals, cultists, armed robbers, kidnappers, and car snatching syndicates, as well as the recovery of weapons, explosives, and stolen vehicles.
Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju, who disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday, August 28, in Port Harcourt, said the achievements were made possible through close collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, DSS, NSCDC, and other security stakeholders.
According to him, the operations were part of the Command’s sustained efforts to curb violent crimes and restore public confidence in security agencies, especially ahead of the forthcoming chairmanship and councillorship elections in the state.
Arrest of vandals at an oil-spilt well in the Kpean community (The crime was committed on 10th August 2025). Arrested persons are Joseph Nsukpe (38) years, James Nkpogio (20) years, Godspower Ngbam (28) years, Happy Mdor (27) years, Apolebabari Ibede (35) years and seven others, making it twelve suspects. Recovered Items: 3 GXI Dynatrac con; 3 suspected explosives.
Murder of Barrister Bright Owhor, theft of his funds, cult-related violence (The murder took place on July 6, 2025). Arrested Persons: Prince Samuel (30), Daniel Godwin (25), Henry Peter (24), Godfrey Emmanuel a.k.a. Ibu (30) – gang leader, Chukwu Nneji (34), Justice Dimkpa (27), Promise Wikere (22), making it seven suspects. Recovered Items: 1 MTN SIM card, 4 locally made pistols, 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 2 live cartridges, 1 mini bus, 1 Toyota Camry.
Also Read: Police Bust Car Theft Syndicate, Recover Stolen Vehicles
Car snatching and recovery of stolen vehicles (The case began in September 2024). No. of Arrested Persons: John Amadi (40), Nna Goodluck (45), Yakubu Abdulahi (35), Abdulkareem Saminu (35), Adamu Musa – dismissed personnel, Shehu Shagari, Onyekachi Igwe (53), Ikechukwu Joseph (35), Michael Emerenwa (40), Elijah Nwauwa Sunday (45) – self-styled pastor, Samuel Ejigbo (39), eleven suspects. Recovered Items: 19 stolen vehicles.
Cult killings and attempted murders in Gokana & Igbo-Etche (Arrests were made on 3rd August, 2025). Arrested Persons: John Emmanuel Bakpo a.k.a. CBN (30), Chijioke Onyegorom Nwankwo (30). Recovered Items: 1 AK-47 rifle (Breech No. 2973), 2 magazines with 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition
Sea piracy and violent threats at Eresekiri Fishing Port, Abonnema (The arrest was made on August 25, 2025). Arrested Person: Fubara Life ‘M’ one suspect. Recovered Items: 1 LAR rifle (Breech No. FALoa 4762), 19 rounds of live ammunition, 1 pump-action gun with 1 live cartridge, 1 wrap of dynamite.
General Recoveries (January – August 2025):
AK-47 rifles: 21, Locally made guns: 66, Ammunition: 8,000, Magazines: 4, Revolver Pistols: 8, Vehicles: 115, Pump action: 34, Dane guns: 2, Scorpions Sub-machine Gun: 2, Lar Riffle: 1, Explosives: 8, Total number of suspects arrested: 33, English-made pistol: 10, GMP: 2, Cartridges: 67, Conventional ammunition: 15
The Police Commissioner assured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks in Rivers State. He appealed to the public to support security agencies by providing credible information that would aid crime prevention.
