The Rivers State Police Command has arrested 18 suspects, including a man accused of impersonating a soldier, and recovered 47 firearms, 12 stolen vehicles and 420 rounds of live ammunition in a series of operations across the state.
The Commissioner of Police disclosed the development at a press briefing, saying the operations were carried out between June and August as part of efforts to tackle kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, car theft and other violent crimes in Rivers State.
According to the command, the operations were intelligence-led and supported by information from members of the public.
One of the major breakthroughs involved the recovery of two AK-47 rifles allegedly stolen during the June 29 attack on policemen attached to the Aluu Division.
The attack reportedly led to the death of two police officers, while others sustained injuries.
Following an intelligence-led investigation, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested three suspects allegedly linked to the gang.
They were identified as 34-year-old Maduabuchi Emeka, also known as Doctor, 42-year-old Chinepu Owo and 28-year-old Kamachi Joe, who the police described as the alleged armourer.
The police said Joe subsequently led operatives to a hideout in Omogwa, where the two AK-47 rifles were recovered. Another suspect allegedly connected to the operation remains at large.
The command also reported the arrest of suspects allegedly linked to a kidnapping syndicate operating around Obiguluka and neighbouring communities.
Five suspects were arrested in connection with the investigation, while further operations led to the arrest of two other suspects identified as alleged members of the same network.
An AK-47 rifle and a submachine gun were recovered during the operation, according to the police.
In Bonny, police said the investigation began after a woman, identified as Mrs Vina Oguma, allegedly reported that 35-year-old Oguma Yeye Addison threatened her with a firearm.
A search of Addison’s residence allegedly led to the recovery of two Beretta pistols, 97 rounds of live ammunition and a live cartridge.
The investigation also resulted in the arrest of Dagogo Abusi and Richard Pulafari over alleged armed robbery and cultism.
Two other suspects, identified as Dagi Ablelu and Destini, were arrested in a separate operation. Police said a cut-to-size pistol, a double-barrel pump-action gun and five live cartridges were recovered from them.
The command further said it arrested two suspected members of a “one-chance” robbery syndicate identified as Uche Samwe and Nkechi Amadi.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the criminal activity, while investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate.
The police urged residents who fall victim to “one-chance” robbery to report such incidents formally instead of relying solely on social media posts, noting that formal complaints could assist investigations.
The latest operations bring the command’s reported recoveries to 47 firearms, 12 stolen vehicles and 420 rounds of live ammunition, alongside other exhibits including five cartridges and 11 cutlasses.
The Commissioner of Police said the command would sustain its operations against criminal elements in the state and called on residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies.
All suspects remain suspects at this stage, as allegations against them are subject to further investigation and, where applicable, prosecution before the courts.
