The Rivers State Police Command on Friday revealed recent developments in relation to its operations in the state.
Briefing the Press at the Command Headquarters on Friday, the Commissioner of Police,CP Nwonyi Polycarp said that the operatives of the command made several arrest which included a notorious armed robbery syndicate,child trafficker,car snatcher and cultist..
His statement reads:
PRESS BRIEFING BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, RIVERS STATE COMMAND, CP NWONYI POLYCARP EMEKA, psc, LLB, PhD, ON FRID exAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023, AT THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS, RIVERS STATE
Ladies and gentlemen of the press,
I welcome you to this press briefing, and I appreciate your presence here today. We have some significant developments to share regarding recent police operations in Rivers State. I will address several key issues, including arrests, recoveries, and ongoing investigations.
- ARREST OF NOTORIOUS ARMED ROBBERY SYNDICATE: On the 29/09/2023 at about 0155hrs, a patrol team on stop and search along Rumukwurushi by Tank Flyover received a distress call that a rice dealer shop at white house/pipeline by oil-mill was burgled.
The team immediately moved to the scene, and in the process, three suspects namely; Jackrich Ogbete ‘m’ aged 44yrs, Chibuzor Madufor ‘M,’ aged 35yrs and Benson Amos ‘M,’ aged 56yrs were arrested.
Two Magnum Jojef pump action guns with breach numbers 20SL-1315 and 20SL-0223, a Toyota Hilux with registration number KHE 37 EW, a Toyota Sienna Car with registration number FST69AU, one industrial Ingco bolt cutter, one big chisel, one iron bar, one Walkie-Talkie, one kitchen knife, a green-colored military cardigan, a military cap, a Nigerian Legion red beret, and three bags of rice were recovered from them.
The suspects were later identified as the armed robbery gang responsible for a similar burglary at the same shop on August 9, 2023, at about 0237hrs, where one hundred fifty (150) bags of rice were carted away. Investigation is ongoing while efforts on top gear to arrest other members of the gang. - ARREST OF A CAR SNATCHER: On Wednesday, 4th of October, 2023, operatives of the command received a report from a concerned citizen, name withheld but residing at Bonny Street, Port Harcourt. He reported the suspect stole his ash-coloured Toyota Camry car with registration number Lagos, LSR 425 CH. The car was taken from its parking location in Eleme under the bridge.
Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, Echo Crack unit recovered the stolen vehicle at Intel junction, Iriebe. One suspect, ,,,,, 27yrs old native of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State. We found a master key in his possession. Anthony John has provided valuable information that may lead to the apprehension of other gang members for discret investigation. - ARREST OF A CHILD TRAFFICKER: Operatives of Anti-Cultism Unit, conducted a vital operation on Thursday, 5th of October, 2023. While on intensive patrol along Rumuekini – Choba, East-West Road, Port Harcourt, they intercepted a Toyota Sienna carrying occupants with suspicious behavior.
Upon conducting a search, we discovered twin babies, a male and a female, both approximately two days old, in the company of one Peace Effiong. Who could not provide a satisfactory account of the babies’ origin. Her alleged husband, an unknown man, fled, abandoning one of the babies.
She confessed to the crime that she was introduced by a friend in Lagos to procure these newborn babies in Port Harcourt for the sum of two million eight hundred thousand naira (#2,800,000.00). We have initiated an investigation to apprehend other suspects involved. - RECOVERY OF ABANDONED PUMP ACTION RIFLES: On Wednesday, 11th of October, 2023, Operatives of Elelenwo division discovered a sack bag on top of the pavement by Odani Bridge while on routine patrol along Eleme Onne Road. Upon inspection, the bag was found to contain two pump-action rifles loaded with one cartridge. The investigation is ongoing.
- ARREST OF A SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER: On Tuesday, 10th of October, 2023, Police patrol team, attached to the Special Area Division, conducted a routine stop and search along Nkpolu Road, Port Harcourt. They intercepted one Promise Dimkpa, aged 20 years, who was in possession of a locally made revolver pistol loaded with two live ammunition. While investigations are ongoing.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SYNDICATE: Operatives of Elelenwo division on Wednesday, 11/10/2023 at about 0820hrs while they were on routine patrol along Eleme Onne Road, saw a sack bag on top of the pavement by Odani Bridge.
When the operatives opened the bag, they discovered that it contained two pump-action rifles loaded with one cartridge.
An investigation is ongoing. - ARREST OF ATTEMPTED MURDERER: On 11/10/2023, at about 0800hrs one Elelediri Muokoro ‘m’ whom his wife bathed him hot groundnut oil at White House Lion street Igwuruta in Ikwerre L.G.A over domestic family issues, the wife one Favour Nwokoro of same address who fled after the incident was arrested today, on 13/10/2023, she confessed to the crime, meanwhile case transferred to SCID for discreet investigation.
- ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERS: On 12/10/2023 at about 2300hrs, Operatives of Olu-obasanjo division raided a criminal hideout within D/Line, CFC bustop , while approaching Aba Road some group of boys saw the police patrol van and took to their heels, they were giving a hot chase five of the suspects were arrested and abandon one revolver pistol with three loaded ammunition, meanwhile investigation ongoing.
- ARREST OF CULTIST : On 13/10/23 at about 002O hrs operatives of the Nkpolu Division, received information from one of the Universities in Rivers State , that men of the underworld, driven in one grey-colored Lexus Salon Car with reg. no. ABC 699 KM, attacked and wounded one victim name withheld ‘m’ computer engineering student on his left leg inside the university.
On receiving the information, police mobilised a patrol team, intercepted the said car at the university main gate, and arrested three suspects.
An intensive search of the car led to the recovery of three sharp English axes and a locally made pistol.
The suspects and exhibit are in police custody while investigating on top gear.
The police operatives visited the scene of the crime while the investigation was ongoing.
I would like to take this opportunity to call upon the residents of Rivers State to support our dedicated police operatives actively as they work tirelessly to combat various criminal activities in the state. Your cooperation and vigilance are invaluable in our ongoing efforts to maintain law and order.
Gentlemen and ladies of the press, I appreciate your continued support in disseminating these developments to the public. We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Rivers State.
Thank you.