The Police Command in Rivers has arrested 33 suspects and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in a series of coordinated operations across the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this on Thursday during a news conference in Port Harcourt, while highlighting the command’s recent breakthroughs in combating violent crime.
Adepoju said the command achieved the feat in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services, among others.
He explained that the joint operations conducted between January and August led to the arrest of the suspects who were allegedly involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, human trafficking, and murder.
According to him, exhibits recovered from the suspects include 66 locally made guns, 34 pump-action guns, 21 AK-47 rifles, 10 English-made pistols, and two GMP guns.
“We also recovered two Scorpion sub-machine guns, two Dane guns, 8,000 rounds of live ammunition, 15 conventional rounds, 67 cartridges, four magazines, eight explosives, and 115 stolen vehicles.”
Providing details of some of the operations, the police commissioner explained that seven suspected cultists linked to the July 6 murder of a lawyer, Bright Owhor, in his home in Port Harcourt were among the suspects.
He said Owhor’s killers murdered the victim in cold blood before stealing large sums of money from him, adding that the suspects were also linked to several cult-related violent crimes in state.
“Items recovered from them include an MTN sim card, four locally made pistols, seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, two live cartridges, one minibus, and a Toyota Camry,” he said.
Adepoju further disclosed that 12 suspected vandals were arrested at an oil-spilled well in Kpean community, where three explosive dynamites were recovered during the Aug. 10 operation.
“The command’s intensified crackdown also led to the dismantling of a car snatching syndicate with networks spread across the country.
“This operation, which began in September 2024, led to the recovery of 19 stolen vehicles and the arrest of 11 members of the syndicate, including a dismissed police officer and a self-styled pastor,” he said.
Adepoju said that two notorious suspected cultists linked to several cult-related killings and attempted murders in Gokana and Igbo-Etche areas of Rivers on Aug. 3 were arrested.
Items recovered from the suspects he said include one AK-47 rifle with Breech No. 2973 and two magazines with 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
“On Aug. 25, operatives apprehended a sea pirate responsible for violent crimes at Eresekiri Fishing Port in Abonnema area of the state.
“Police officers seized one LAR rifle with Breech No. FALoa 4762, 19 rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action gun with one live cartridge, and one wrap of dynamite from the suspect,” he added.
He assured residents of the state of the command’s commitment to public safety, especially ahead of the forthcoming chairmanship and councillorship elections.
He urged members of the public to support security agencies by providing credible information to aid investigations and enhance community safety.
“We remain focused in dismantling criminal networks and restoring public confidence in law enforcement,” he added.
