The reign of terror along the Emohua axis of the East/West Road may have been punctured as the kingpin of the cultists terrorizing the area, Nwodi Onuigwe, his second in command and two others including a woman were gunned down early Tuesday morning, June 13, 2023 by the police.
A source within the security circle informed our reporter that in a sting operation in Ogoloma community, Okirika Local Government Area in the early hours of Tuesday, operatives of the Rivers State Police Command stormed the hideout of the hoodlums and a gun battle ensued.
The source disclosed that Nwodi, his second in command, two others were fatally wounded in the shootout with the Police.
Recall that the Chairman of Emohua LGA, Dr. Chidi Lylod had declared Mr. Nwodi wanted and placed a bounty of one million naira on him.
Dr Lylod increased the bounty placed on Nwodi from one million to two million naira a fortnight ago after the kidnap of Justice Azundah at Emohua by Nwodi and his gang members.
Sources link Nwodi to series of crime in Emohua such as the kidnap of Justice Azundah, Chief Protocol Officer to Emeka Woke, former Chief of Staff Government House, kidnap of youth corps members at Rumuji section of Emohua East West Road, kidnap of Mrs. Gloria Izonfuo, Commissioner of National Population Commission in charge of Rivers and Bayelsa States at Ogbakiri junction, Emohua LGA.
Briefing Journalists on the development in Port Harcourt, Tuesday afternoon, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Nwonyi Emeka said the police on June 13, based on credible intelligence spotted a kidnap gang led by Nwodi Onuigwe in Ogoloma, Okirika LGA.
CP Emeka stated that on sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fired and engaged the police in a gun duel.
CP Nwonyi revealed that Onuigwe has been on watch list of the Police and has killed Policemen, Innocent persons, etc.
CP Emeka also disclosed that some natives of Elibrada have deserted their homes due the criminal activities of Nwodi and his gang.
The Rivers Police boss said Nwodi and his gang were later confirmed dead at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital where they were rushed to after the gun battle.
Exhibits recovered include AK 47 and live ammunition. Assault riffle, and pump action gun.
