The Rivers State Police Command has denied allegations linking the Commander of the 56 Police Mobile Force (PMF), ACP London Irikefe, to the arrest and prosecution of four men accused of abducting a woman in the state.
The Command, in a statement issued by its Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, said Irikefe was neither involved in the arrest nor the prosecution of the suspects.
The four suspects were identified as Darlington Ogulo, 47; Eze Woke Solomon, 25; Wali Perfect, 24; and Augustine Charles, 25. The police alleged that they were working for one Gabriel Asa Abuja, whom the suspects reportedly identified as their leader.
According to the Command, the police operation followed a formal complaint concerning the alleged abduction of Kate Odogbo.
The police said that on August 17, 2026, at about 6:30 pm, Gift Benjamin Odogbo of Rumualuu Community reported that her mother had allegedly been abducted by unknown gunmen on August 12.
After four days of searching, the woman reportedly discovered that her mother was being held at a detention facility allegedly operated by Asa Abuja, whom the police said was described as being affiliated with the Nigeria Forest Guard.
Following the complaint, the Command said it deployed operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU-AKU) to the location, where the alleged victim was found inside a cell and rescued.
Four suspects were arrested during the operation, while the police said a pump-action firearm and a locally fabricated long gun were recovered.
Read Also: dhq-debunks-ai-generated-video-of-defence-chief-making-political-statements
The Command also alleged that the major access road to the facility had been blocked with sandbags.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, indicated possible offences bordering on illegal possession of firearms, intimidation, unlawful detention and the establishment of a security outfit without the required licence or authorisation.
The police said the suspects were unable to produce documents validating their claimed affiliation with the security outfit.
The Command further warned that no private security organisation or individual has the authority to establish or operate a detention facility in a manner that assumes or purports to exercise police powers.
It also raised concerns over the alleged use of police colours, markings, insignia and other identifying features on the facility, saying such practices could mislead members of the public into believing that the structure was an authorised police facility.
The four suspects were subsequently arraigned in court on August 21, 2026, the Command said.
The police urged members of the public to disregard reports attempting to associate ACP Irikefe with the arrest and prosecution, maintaining that the operation was based on the complaint received, evidence allegedly found at the scene and the need to rescue and protect the reported victim.
The Command also cautioned bloggers, social media influencers and other content creators against publishing what it described as false, misleading or defamatory information capable of causing public disorder, damaging reputations or interfering with investigations.
It urged members of the public to verify information through credible and official sources before sharing it online.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to professional policing, protection of lives and property, respect for human rights, transparency, accountability and impartial enforcement of the law.
