The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery and kidnapping gang and recovered six firearms and 58 rounds of live ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in the state.
The suspects were arrested following an operation conducted by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) at Rumuekpe Community in Emohua Local Government Area on October 4, 2026.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, disclosed this in a statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The suspects were identified as Chinemerem Uchewo, Michael Ishaka, Abdulahi George and Gideon Okah.
According to the statement, Okah was subsequently arrested in Owerri, Imo State.
Preliminary investigations reportedly linked the suspects to several armed robbery and kidnapping incidents in Choba, Elele Alimini, Emohua and Rumuekpe communities in Rivers State.
The Police also said the suspects confessed to the robbery and murder of Joseph Onyeka in Rumuji Community on July 23, 2026.
They were further linked to the attack and shooting of a police inspector, Womoma, who was on duty at a checkpoint along the East-West Road near Elele Alimini Junction on August 4, 2026.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the alleged criminal syndicate and bring everyone connected to the reported crimes to justice.
The Commissioner of Police, Adepoju, commended the operatives for their courage, professionalism and commitment to combating violent crime in the state.
He assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led raids, targeted operations and investigations to dismantle criminal networks and recover illegal firearms.
Adepoju also warned criminals and their collaborators to desist from criminal activities, stressing that the Police would continue efforts to bring perpetrators of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes to justice.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information about suspicious activities in their communities, assuring them that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
