Police arrest 18 suspects, recover 47 guns in Rivers State operations

The Rivers State Police Command has reported significant successes in its crackdown on crime, arresting 18 suspected criminals and seizing a substantial cache of weapons and stolen property. Operations conducted across the state between June and August 12, 2026, resulted in the recovery of 47 firearms of various calibres, 12 stolen vehicles, and 420 rounds of live ammunition.

State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, briefed journalists on Thursday, highlighting the command's progress against serious offenses including murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and vehicle theft. Adepoju detailed the arrest of three individuals allegedly responsible for the June 29 attack on officers attached to the Aluu Division, an incident that resulted in the death of two policemen and the theft of two AK-47 rifles. The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, Chinedu Owhor, and Kamachi Joe, reportedly confessed to the crime and led police to a hideout where the stolen rifles were recovered.

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested 18 suspected criminals and recovered 47 firearms of various calibres, 12 stolen vehicles and 420 rounds of live ammunition in operations conducted across the state between June and August 12, 2026.

In a separate operation, operatives apprehended members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate in Oyigbo Local Government Area. Four suspects, including Ezekiel Emmanuel, Chukwuma Mbanefu, Nicolas Daila, and another individual, allegedly confessed to carrying out kidnappings in several communities. Two more members of this syndicate, Anele Ogbogu and Kenneth Eke, were arrested later, with four firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, recovered. Additionally, two Beretta pistols and ammunition were seized from Allison Oguma, arrested for allegedly threatening his wife with a firearm.

The police also arrested two individuals, Uche Samwe and Nkechi Amadi, suspected of involvement in "one-chance" robbery, a crime often involving criminals posing as legitimate transport. Adepoju urged the public to report such incidents promptly to aid the police in identifying syndicate methods and operational areas, emphasizing that many cases go unreported through official channels.

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People should report such cases. We want to see them reported officially at the police division nearest to where such incidents happen.