The Rivers State Police Command recovered over 20 AK47 rifles, 34 Pump Action guns, 2 Scorpions Submachine guns and over 7000 Ammunitions within eight months of this year.
The State Police Commissioner, CP. Olugbenga Adepoju who made the disclosure today August 28, 2025 during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, the state capital also added that the state command recovered more than 100 vehicles and arrest about 33 Suspects within the period under review.
Find below the statement of the Police Commissioner during the briefing:
RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND PRESS BRIEFING
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the press, and my peace-loving people of Rivers state
“Upon my assumption of duty as the 47th Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, I pledged to lead the Command with strategy, professionalism, and collaboration.
“In the past months, the Rivers State Police Command, working in close synergy with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), DSS, and other critical security stakeholders, has made remarkable progress in our sustained operations to curb criminal activities across the State.
“Through this united effort, we have intensified our crackdown on violent crimes, leading to the arrest of numerous suspects involved in heinous offences such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, human trafficking, and murder, as well as the recovery of vital exhibits.
“Today’s briefing highlights some of the most significant breakthroughs recently recorded through this joint security initiative. First is the;
1. ARREST OF SUSPECTED VANDALS / RECOVERY OF EXPLOSIVES:
Arrest of vandals at an oil-spilled well in Kpean community (The crime was committed on 10th August 2025).
Arrested Persons: are
Joseph Nsukpe (38)yrs
James Nkpogio (20)yrs
Godspower Ngbam (28)yrs
Happy Mdor (27)yr
Apolebabari Ibede (35)yrs and 7 others = twelve (12) suspects.
Recovered Items: 3 GXI Dynatrac con; 3 suspected explosives.
2. ARREST OF SUSPECTS IN THE MURDER OF BARRISTER BRIGHT OWHOR / RECOVERY OF WEAPONS & VEHICLE: Murder of Barrister Bright Owhor, theft of his funds, a cult-related violence (The murder took place on July 6, 2025).
Arrested Persons:
Prince Samuel (30)
Daniel Godwin (25)
Henry Peter (24)
Godfrey Emmanuel a.k.a. Ibu (30) – gang leader
Chukwu Nneji (34)
Justice Dimkpa (27)
Promise Wikere (22) = seven (7) suspects.
Recovered Items:
1 MTN SIM card, 4 locally made pistols, 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 2 live cartridges, 1 mini bus, 1 Toyota Camry
3. ARREST OF INTERSTATE CAR SNATCHING SYNDICATE / RECOVERY OF VEHICLES:
Car snatching and recovery of stolen vehicles (The case began in September 2024).
No of Arrested Persons :
John Amadi (40)
Nna Goodluck (45)
Yakubu Abdulahi (35)
Abdulkareem Saminu (35)
Adamu Musa – dismissed personnel
Shehu Shagari
Onyekachi Igwe (53)
Ikechukwu Joseph (35)
Michael Emerenwa (40)
Elijah Nwauwa Sunday (45) – self-styled pastor
Samuel Ejigbo (39) = eleven (11) suspects.
Recovered Items: 19 stolen vehicles.
4. ARREST OF NOTORIOUS CULTISTS / RECOVERY OF FIREARMS & AMMUNITION:
Crime: Cult killings and attempted murders in Gokana & Igbo-Etche (Arrests were made on 3rd August, 2025).
Arrested Persons:
John Emmanuel Bakpo a.k.a. CBN (30)
Chijioke Onyegorom Nwankwo (30) = two(2) suspects.
Recovered Items: 1 AK-47 rifle (Breech No. 2973), 2 magazines with 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition
5. ARREST OF SUSPECTS IN SEA PIRACY & THREATENING VIOLENCE:
Crime: Sea piracy and violent threats at Eresekiri fishing port, Abonnema (The arrest was made on August 25, 2025).
Arrested Person:
Fubara Life ‘m’ = one(1) suspect.
Recovered Items: 1 LAR rifle (Breech No. FALoa 4762), 19 rounds of live ammunition, 1 pump-action gun with 1 live cartridge, 1 wrap of dynamite.
BREAKDOWN OF RECOVERIES MADE BETWEEN JANUARY AND AUGUST, 2025
1. AK 47 rifles: 21
2. Locally made guns: 66
3. Ammunition: 8,000
4. Magazines: 4
5. Revolver Pistols: 8
6. Vehicles: 115
7. Pump action: 34
8. Dane guns: 2
9. Scorpions Sub-machine Gun: 2
10. Lar Riffle: 1
11. Explosives: 8
12. Total number of suspects arrested: 33
13. English-made pistol: 10
14: GMP: 2
15: Cartridges: 67
16: Conventional ammunition: 15
“The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to the safety and security of all citizens and residents. These operations reflect a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and ensure public confidence in law enforcement agencies, especially as it concerns the upcoming chairmanship/councillorship election. We appeal to the members of the public to partner with the security agencies in giving credible information to serve you better.
“For further information or to report suspicious activity, please contact the Rivers State Police Command.
Thank you and God bless.”
CP. OLUGBENGA A. ADEPOJU, Psc, mnips
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
RIVERS STATE COMMAND,
PORT HARCOURT.
