The Rivers State Police Command has announced the recovery of eight explosive devices and about 8,000 rounds of ammunition, alongside the arrest of 33 suspects linked to crimes ranging from cultism and armed robbery to kidnapping, vandalism, and human trafficking.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this on Thursday during a joint security briefing in Port Harcourt. He said the breakthroughs were achieved between January and August 2025, largely during the State of Emergency declared in the state.
According to the CP, the operation was carried out in synergy with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, and other security stakeholders, leading to the dismantling of several high-profile criminal networks.
Among the arrests were seven suspected cultists linked to the murder of Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Bright Owhor, in the D/Line area of the city. The suspects, identified as Prince Samuel (30), Daniel Godwin (25), Henry Peter (24), Godfrey Emmanuel a.k.a Ibu (30, gang leader), Chukwu Nneji (34), Justice Dimkpa (27), and Promise Wikere (22), were also accused of withdrawing funds from the deceased’s bank account using his ATM card.
Adepoju further revealed that police operatives foiled an act of vandalism at an oil-spilled well in Kpean community, Khana Local Government Area, arresting suspects including Joseph Nsukpe (38), James Nkpogio (20), Godspower Ngbam (28), Happy Mdor (27), and Apolebabari Ibede (35).
The CP listed part of the recovered arms and exhibits as:
21 AK-47 rifles,
66 locally made guns,
8,000 ammunition,
eight explosives (including three GXI dynamites),
eight revolver pistols,
10 English-made pistols,
two sub-machine guns,
115 vehicles,
and several SIM cards, cartridges, magazines, and improvised firearms.
Adepoju commended the synergy among security agencies and vowed that the Command would sustain aggressive operations to restore peace and confidence in Rivers State. He also linked the intensified crackdown to efforts at securing the state ahead of the upcoming chairmanship and councillorship elections.
He appealed to residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remained vital to defeating criminality in the state.
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