By Tina Amanda
The Rivers State Police Command has made significant strides in combating criminal activities within the state with the arrest of four individuals involved in vandalism and armed robbery. Among the apprehended is the local vigilante commander in Isiokpo, Ododo Kingsley Obubochi, alongside three other executive members of the local vigilante group. The arrest took place on 26 March 2024.
The vigilante group’s executives, namely Mark Prince, Destiny Onuigbo, and Azubuike Orlu, abused their positions to access the group’s armory, which they utilized in carrying out criminal acts.
The series of events leading to their apprehension unfolded when a scrap dealer known as Prince approached Ododo during a vigilante group member’s burial. Prince, posing as a businessman from Omagwa, proposed a joint venture involving the dismantling and sale of a mast belonging to Globacom, situated on a secluded road in Elele.
After negotiations, Ododo agreed to provide firepower and oversight during the operation, while Prince’s team was tasked with disassembling the mast. A fee of NGN500,000.00 was agreed upon for Ododo’s participation.
The operation commenced as planned, with Ododo and his accomplices providing cover and supervision. However, their criminal activities were disrupted when they were intercepted by a police patrol unit during the operation. A confrontation ensued, leading to their arrest, with two vandals escaping while four were apprehended.
Recovered items from the arrested individuals include three automatic pump-action guns, one live cartridge, one plier, one machete, and two Qlink motorcycles without registration numbers.
Reacting to this development, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, expressed concern over vigilante members’ involvement in criminal enterprises.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to apprehending all individuals involved in criminal activities, irrespective of their affiliations or positions within law enforcement structures.
The ongoing investigation aims to apprehend the remaining fugitive suspects involved in this criminal network.
