Press Briefing By The Commissioner Of Police, Rivers State, CP Usman A. Belel, Highlighting The Achievements Of The Command In One Week 

Good afternoon Gentlemen of the Press.

I want to sincerely welcome you once again to the Headquarters of the Rivers State Police Command. I have again called you, essentially to share with you the modest achievements recorded by the Command in the past one week.

2. Recall that barely a week ago you were here to cover our achievements. In keeping with my promise of addressing the Press on our achievement every week, I have called you again to share the modest breakthroughs, recorded by the Command resulting from our avowed determination and total commitment to the war against armed banditry in the State. 

As a Command, we have rejigged our strategy and repositioned our personnel for optimum productivity. Rivers State shall no longer be conducive for Criminals, hence we remain irrevocably committed to sustaining the onslaught against all criminal elements in the State.

3. Today, I have the pleasure to present to you the following achievements as catalogued hereunder, to wit:-
4. ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS AND RESCUE OF A KIDNAP VICTIM:

On 3/06/2019 at about 2200hrs, one Emmanuel Ezebuemie “M” of Eligbolo Town, Rumuokoro in Obio/AKpor L.G.A was kidnapped from his shop by four armed Men and taken to an uncompleted building in Eleme, where he was kept. In the course of Investigation, the kidnappers who had earlier called for ransom, were negotiating with Police Officers of the Eagle Crack Squad, where they were tracked and arrested one Abiodun Yahaya “M” 27 yrs and rescued the victim from where he was kept. 

His confession led the team to Ebubu-Eleme where two others were arrested. They are namely: Wasiu Ojo “M” 24yrs and Ayomide Abiodun “M” 33yrs.

Exhibits recovered from them include:

1. One machete
2. One Motorcycle
3. Four different Handsets

Investigation is still ongoing and they will be charged to Court at the end of the Investigation.

2. ARREST OF A NOTORIOUS CULTIST:

On 3/6/19 at about 1030Hrs, Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit and Men of the Old GRA Police Station in a joint operation stormed a criminal hideout at Ahiamakara in Ogbunabali Town, Port Harcourt, in an uncompleted school building, arrested one Henry Gbosi “M” a notorious cultist/armed robber and a member of Iceland secret cult whose gang is responsible for all the criminal activities in and around Ogbunabali Town, including snatching handsets from people at gun point. 

Investigation is ongoing and efforts have been intensified to arrest other Members of the gang.

3. ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS:

On 3/6/19, at about 1800Hrs, three Armed Robbers operating in a Volkswagen Golf Car attempted to rob a man at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Junction (RUST). Responding to the distress, personnel of the Nkpolu Division, swiftly moved in and in the process, arrested two (2) suspects namely: Timothy Samuel “M” 28yrs from Imo State but resides at No. 106 Emenike Street and Kelvin David “M” 24 yrs from Akwa Ibom but resides at No: 100 Echue Street all in Mile II Diobu, Port Harcourt.

Exhibits recovered from them include:-

1. One locally made pistol
2. One Matchete 
3. Different Phones 
4. Volkswagen Golf Car

They are helping us in our Investigation and will be charged to Court as soon as Investigation is over. 

4. DEATH OF A NOTORIOUS ARMED ROBBER: 

On 3/6/19 at about 0930Hrs, acting on credible information, the Akpajo Anti-Crime Patrol Team in a covert operation stormed the Sand-field, where they were engaged in a gun battle by the hoodlums. In the process, Promise Okparaji alias Antelope, a strong member of Dey-gbam was fatally wounded, while others took to their heels. 

Investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover their operational weapons.

5. ARREST OF NOTOROUS KIDNAPPERS, RESCUE OF A KIDNAP VICTIM AND RECOVERY OF THE VICTIM’s VEHICLE.

On 3/6/19 at about 1000hrs, Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible information, arrested the following suspects namely:

1. Moses Cyprian ‘m’ 36yrs
2. Ogudi Anthony ‘m’ 22yrs
3. Durus Caleb ‘m’ 27yrs

The suspects were trailed and arrested at Igbo-Etche in Etche Local Government Area of the State, while doing a follow up in a case of kidnap of one Joy Johnson ‘f’ who was kidnapped on 1/6/2019 at Eneka and taken to their camp at Igbo-Etche.

In the course of the Operation, the victim was rescued unhurt and has identified the suspect as those that kidnapped her. 

Exhibits recovered from them include:

1. The Victim’s: Eco Bank and GT Bank ATM Cards, 

MTN Sim Card used in demanding for N4m ransom.

They are helping us in our Investigation and will be charged to Court as soon as Investigation in concluded.

6. ARREST OF A SUSPECTED KIDNAPPER/ARMED ROBBER:

On 4/6/19 at about 0800Hrs, in a sting Operation by the Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit, acting on credible information stormed Ban-Ogoi Community in Tai LGA where one AK47 rifle and three other guns were recovered. The Operatives also raided the premises of the Paramount Ruler of the community, a place said to be used as a hideout by One BIGGY, a notorious Cultist/Kidnapper, where some rolls of armored cables were recovered and one gang member by name Bela Duke was arrested. 

He is helping the Police and efforts are on to arrest Members of his gang.   

7. RECOVERY OF FIREARM/AMMUNITION:

On 5/6/19 at about 2000Hrs, Anti-Crime Patrol Team of the Elelenwo Division, while on stop and search along Eleme Junction, by Onne Road, intercepted a Toyota Camry with Reg No: BEN277AQ with three persons inside. The suspects on sensing danger all came out, abandoned the vehicle and took to flight. On searching the vehicle, one AK47 rifle with double magazines loaded with twenty-one rounds of live ammunition, one locally made pistol and two GSM handsets were recovered. 

Investigation is ongoing and efforts are on to arrest the fleeing suspects. 

8. RECOVERY OF FIREARM:

On 5/6/19 at about 1500Hrs, Anti Crime Patrol Team from the Oyigbo Area Command while on routine Patrol along Igbo-Etche Road, received a distress call from one Obinna Ndubuisi, that six men with guns were attacking his workers at the Valley of Decisions Estate, Igbo-Etche. The Patrol team immediately moved to the scene but on sighting the Police the hoodlums took to flight and abandoned one locally made pistol. 

Efforts are on to arrest them.

9. ARREST OF KIDNAPPERS:

On 5/6/19 at about 0900Hrs, one Emmanuel Benedict “M” of RD-Road, Rumuokwurushi, Port Harcourt, reported at Elimgbu Division that four armed Men dressed in Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) uniforms, abducted him on 4th June, 2019, and took him to Rukpokwu Town; beat and threatened to kill him. 

On 5/6/19 at about 0730Hrs, the Kidnappers took him in a Toyota Highlander Jeep to his compound to kidnap his caretaker. In the process, the victim raised alarm which attracted people and three of the suspects were arrested, while the driver escaped with the car. Investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to Court as soon as Investigation is completed.

10. ARREST OF MEMBERS OF ARMED ROBBERY SYNDICATE:

On 6/6/19 at about 2100Hrs, Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit while in a follow up in a case of Cultism and Armed Robbery, arrested the following suspects.

1. Lance Corporal (L/CPL) Ebeta Rebecca “F” attached to 31 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Minna, Niger State
2. Kachi Ofegbu “M”
3. Ekene Aguhia “M”
4. Emenike Nwuha “M”

The suspects are members of an Armed Robbery gang operating within the Port Harcourt Metropolis. They confessed to have robbed a Toyota Camry with Reg No: DEG 353TD from the owner at Rumuola and a Kia Saloon Car with Reg No: KPR belonging to one Nelson Ejike who took them on a drop and was attacked after spraying a chemical substance on his face.

Exhibits recovered from the house of the leader L/CPL Ebeta Rebecca include:

1. Driver’s License belonging to the owner of the Toyota Camry
2. One Toy Gun
3. 52 pieces of fake 100 Dollar Bills
4. Some pieces of red clothes and three Razor Blades, used for initiation and in hypnotizing their victims 
5. Two Army face caps
6. One native chalk
7. Vehicle key
8. Some substances suspected to be chemicals used in stupefying their victims. 

They are helping us in our Investigation and will be charged to Court as soon as Investigation is over. 

11. ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS AND RECOVERY OF FIREARMS/AMMUNITION:

On the 7/6/2019 at about 1915hrs in two different sting operations, Operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested the following suspected armed robbers namely: 

1. Timothy Samuel Anthony ‘m’ 28 yrs 
2. Achi Godfirst ‘m’ 22yrs 
3. Chima Amadi ‘m’ 28yrs 

The suspects who were responsible for series of robberies along Ada-George were arrested along Ada-George Road, Port Harcourt. 

Exhibits recovered from them include:

1. Two Locally made pistols
2. Two .9mm live ammunition 
3. One expended .9mm shell.
4. Different Items suspected to have been robbed.
5. One Toyota Corolla Saloon car with Reg. No. AQ 460 DBU.
6. DEATH OF AN ARMED ROBBER AND RECOVERY OF FIREARM:

On 8/6/19 at about 0600Hrs, the Anti Robbery Patrol Team of the Oyigbo Police Station, while on early morning stop and search along the Old PH/Aba Road, accosted a Motorcycle carrying two persons. On approaching the Police point, the suspect behind jumped down and immediately pulled out from his bag a locally made gun with intent to engage the Police in a gun duel. He was shot at by the team, while the rider smartly escaped. 

On searching the bag another locally made shot gun, one live cartridge and a face mask were recovered.

The suspect was taken to the hospital but later confirmed dead by a Medical Doctor. Efforts are on to arrest the fleeing member and indeed those who operate on Motorbikes in and around Oyigbo.

13. ARREST OF ARMS DEALER:

On 8/6/2019 at about 2000hrs, in a joint Operation, by Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit and Men of the Rumuji Police Station, acting on a tip-off, arrested one Uche Ogbuka “M” an arms dealer who specializes in gun running and supply of arms/ammunition to the cultists/armed robbers terrorizing the East/West Road. He was arrested in Rumuji and on interrogation, confessed to have supplied six (6) Pump Action Guns and Cartridges to Kidnappers/Armed Robbers terrorizing the East/West Road. 

He is helping the Police and will be charged to Court as soon as Investigation is over.    

14. ARREST OF AN ARMED ROBBER:

On 9/6/2019 at about 2100hrs, Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit, while responding to a distress call arrested one Imonikpe Abdul Fatai at Oyigbo who was armed with a locally made Pistol and attempted to rob one Kingsley Anozie before he was arrested.

He is helping us in our Investigation and will be due in Court soonest.

15. RECOVERY OF SNATCHED VEHICLE/DEATH OF ARMED ROBBERS:

On the 9/6/19 at about 1130Hrs, the Anti-Robbery Patrol Team of the Sani Abacha Police Station, led by ASP Innocent Ikeh, while on stop and search at Tombia Extension, near the Market Square, GRA Phase II, had an encounter with a gang of armed robbers, who had earlier on snatched a Lexus 330 Jeep with Reg No: Lagos KRD 817AW from the owner, one Mrs. Jennifer Suberu at gun point. 

The robbers ran into the Police stop and search point and on sighting the Police, beat a fast retreat but were given a hot chase which led to exchange of gun fire. They were however overpowered and in course of the gun duel, one of them was fatally wounded, another was arrested alive and the third robber escaped with life threatening gun shot wounds. The suspect alive who was shot on the leg during exchange of gunfire and was later confirmed dead by the Medical Doctor.

The snatched vehicle has been recovered and taken to the Station. The victim identified the two robbers as those who attacked and robbed her of other valuables.

16. ARREST OF A FOUR MAN GANG OF CATTLE RUSTLERS: 

On 12/6/2019 about 1530hrs, Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) acting on credible information traced a syndicate of Cattle Rustlers to Eagle Island, Port Harcourt where they recovered ten (10) live cows from them. On interrogation, they confessed to have rustled the animals from Abia State and taken to Rivers State for sale. 

The suspects are:- 

1. Thlama Jaduwa  ‘m’
2. Mohammed Sani ‘m’

iii.       Abdullahi Kolo                  ‘m’

1. Kabinu Sani ‘m’
2. Bello Issa ‘m’

They are helping us in our investigation and will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS

1. No of suspected cultists arrested   –           8        
2. No of suspected Kidnappers arrested  –           3
3. No of suspected Armed Robbers arrested –           4
4. No of Armed Robbery foiled  –           3
5. No of AK47 rifles recovered –           2
6. No of locally made pistol recovered –           14
7. No of Pump Action guns recovered –           3
8. No of Magazines recovered –           5
9. No of live Ammunition recovered  –           55
10. No of Cartridges recovered –           82
11. No of Machetes  –           3
12. No of vehicles recovered  –           3
13. Arrest of suspected Cattle Rustlers –           5
14. 2 pieces of Military Face-caps 
15. No of Expended ammunition  –           5
16. Cows recovered from Rustlers –           10
17. Some chemical substances 
18. Charms
19. Different Handsets 
20. Rolls of Armored Cables 
21. Fake Hundred Dollar Notes
22. Total No: suspects  arrested –           20

Gentlemen of the Press, let me once again thank you for your continued support and partnership in our sustained efforts in fighting all manner of criminality in the State.

As a Command, we will continue to deliver quality Policing Services to the State and therefore wish to appeal to the good people of the State to continue to have faith in our ability to protect their lives and property and discharge our duties in line with the principles of Democratic Policing.

Thanks.

USMAN A. BELEL,

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,

RIVERS STATE COMMAND,

PORT HARCOURT.