The Rivers State Police Command has dismantled the criminal gang responsible for the 12 November 2025 attack on police personnel at Tonninno Filling Station, Elioparanwo Road, Port Harcourt, following a targeted operation that led to multiple arrests and the recovery of two stolen rifles.
Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olugbenga Adepoju, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) launched an intelligence-driven pursuit of the attackers, deploying technical support and covert surveillance to track the suspects.
According to the Command’s Spokesperson, Grace Irnige-Koko on Tuesday, who revealed that their efforts culminated in the arrest of four men directly linked to the attack, alongside the identification of the alleged mastermind.
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Those arrested include Anselam Paul, 45, from Mbaise LGA in Imo State; Supurchi Ejiofor, 48, also known as Emejaka, from Bende LGA of Abia State; Bright Nwabueze, 58, popularly called Bishop, from Umuahia South LGA of Abia State; and Utibe Sunday, 24, from Ika LGA of Akwa Ibom State.
Investigators also named 32-year-old Ebuka Reuben of Ebonyi State as the ringleader who coordinated the armed assault that left police personnel dispossessed of their rifles.
Police authorities say preliminary interrogations show the suspects voluntarily confessed to the crime and were linked to other criminal activities within the State.
The recovered weapons and the suspects are currently in police custody, where they are cooperating with the investigation team.
Security efforts have now shifted towards tracking down the remaining members of the gang and recovering additional operational weapons believed to be in their possession.
Commending the operatives for their swift and professional execution of duties, CP Adepoju reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to extend policing presence across all parts of the State.
He assured that anyone involved in criminal acts would be pursued and made to face the full force of the law.
Iringe-Koko, reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustained operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements threatening public safety.
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