Police Arrest Four Suspected Armed Robbers, Recover Six Firearms
The Nigeria Police Force, Rivers State Command has arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery and kidnapping gang and recovered six firearms and 58 rounds of live ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in the state. The suspects were arrested on Sunday October 4, 2026 following a targeted operation conducted by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, (VCRU) in Rumuekpe Community, Emohua Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing disclosed this on Wednesday October 21, 2026 in a press statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju.
According Agabe Blessing, the suspects were identified as; Chinemerem Uchewo, a male native of Rumuekpe community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Micheal Ishaka, a male native of Adabor community in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Abdulahi George, a male native of Oduoha community in Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State, and Gideon Okah, another male native of Elele Alimini community in Emuohua Local Government Area of Rivers State who was subsequently arrested in Owerri, Imo State.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations linked the suspects to several armed robbery and kidnapping incidents in Choba, Elele Alimini, Emohua and Rumuekpe communities. The suspects also reportedly confessed to the robbery and murder of one Joseph Onyeka in Rumuji Community on July 23, 2026. They were also linked to the attack and shooting of a police inspector, Womoma, who was on duty at a checkpoint along the East-West Road near Elele Alimini Junction on August 4, 2026.
Items recovered from the suspects include two AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one English-made double-barrel rifle, one locally made revolver pistol and 58 rounds of live ammunition. The Command said efforts had been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the suspected criminal syndicate and bring everyone connected to the alleged crimes to justice.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the operatives for their courage, professionalism and commitment to combating violent crime in Rivers State. He reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led operations and investigations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and recovering illegal firearms.
The Police Commissioner also warned criminals and their collaborators to desist from unlawful activities, assuring residents that the Command would leave no stone unturned in the fight against armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes. He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the Police, assuring them that information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
