The Rivers State Police Command has arrested 14 suspected members of one-chance robbery syndicates operating in Port Harcourt and its environs.
Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
He said the arrests followed intelligence-led operations ordered in response to increasing reports of one-chance robberies across the metropolis.
According to the CP, the operation began with the arrest of 30-year-old Nelson Idakiniselegha, also known as Mandela, at a suspected criminal hideout on Niger Street on August 18.
He allegedly confessed to being a member of a one-chance robbery syndicate and provided information that led to the arrest of other suspects.
Among those arrested are Michael Matthew, 29, also known as Pilot; Kelly Edison, 30, aka BTC; Daniel Obodo, 18, aka Mazi; and Chisom Unegbu, 28, aka Favour.
Police said Matthew was identified as a member of the Iceland cult group and an alleged leader of one of the robbery syndicates.
A black-and-white mini-bus with registration number RGM 823 XE, allegedly used by the syndicate, was recovered.
Police also recovered 16 assorted mobile phones suspected to have been stolen from victims.
Adepoju said investigation revealed that Idakiniselegha allegedly specialised in removing SIM cards from victims and using them to facilitate unauthorised withdrawals from their bank accounts.
“We will not relent in our efforts to dismantle criminal networks responsible for one-chance robberies, kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related activities and other violent crimes within the State,” Adepoju said.
He said investigations were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicates, identify victims and recover other proceeds of crime.
The Commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, vehicles and criminal activities to the police.
