RismadarVoice Reporters
October 21, 2026
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate allegedly responsible for several violent crimes across communities in the state.
The command also recovered six firearms and 58 rounds of live ammunition during an intelligence-led operation conducted by operatives of its Violent Crime Response Unit.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 21, in Port Harcourt.
According to the statement, the operation commenced on October 4, 2026, in Rumuekpe community, Emohua Local Government Area, following credible intelligence about the activities of the suspected criminal network.
The suspects were identified as Chinemerem Uchewo, Michael Ishaka, Abdulahi George and Gideon Okah.
Police said Okah was subsequently apprehended in Owerri, Imo State, as investigations expanded beyond Rivers State.
Preliminary findings reportedly linked the suspects to armed robbery and kidnapping incidents in Choba, Elele Alimini, Emohua and Rumuekpe communities.
The command further alleged that the suspects confessed during interrogation to involvement in the robbery and killing of Joseph Onyeka in Rumuji community on July 23, 2026.
They were also allegedly connected to the shooting of a police officer, Inspector Womoma, while he was on duty at a checkpoint along the East-West Road near Elele Alimini Junction on August 4.
Items recovered during the operation included two AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, an English-made double-barrel rifle and a locally manufactured revolver pistol.
The police also recovered 58 rounds of live ammunition.
The command said investigations were continuing to identify other individuals allegedly involved in the criminal network and recover additional illegal weapons.
Reacting to the arrests, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the officers involved for their courage, professionalism and commitment to combating violent crime.
He assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations, targeted raids and criminal investigations aimed at dismantling armed robbery and kidnapping networks.
Adepoju warned individuals involved in violent crimes to desist from unlawful activities, stressing that the police would continue efforts to apprehend offenders and bring them before the law.
The commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
He assured members of the public that credible information provided to the command would be handled confidentially.
The police have not announced the conclusion of their investigation, and the allegations against the arrested suspects remain subject to legal proceedings.
