The Rivers State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against violent crime, with 18 suspects arrested, 47 firearms recovered and 12 stolen vehicles retrieved during various operations conducted between June and August 2026.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed the latest operational achievements on Thursday, August 13, 2026, during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt.

According to the Commissioner, the arrests and recoveries were recorded through intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing strategies aimed at dismantling criminal networks across the State.

Three Suspects Arrested Over Attack On Police Officers

The Commissioner disclosed that three suspected members of the gang responsible for the June 29 attack on Police officers conducting stop-and-search operations in Aluu had been arrested.

Two Police officers were killed during the attack, while others sustained injuries, including one officer whose injuries resulted in the amputation of his leg. The attackers also reportedly escaped with two AK-47 rifles.

Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU, subsequently arrested Maduabuchi Emeka, 34; Chinedu Owhor, 42, popularly known as “Doctor”; and Kamachi Joe, 28, who were identified as suspected members of the gang.

The suspects reportedly led Police operatives to a hideout in Omagwa, where the two stolen AK-47 rifles were recovered. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend another suspect still at large.

Five Suspected Kidnappers Arrested

The CP also announced the arrest of five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate operating around Oyigbo Local Government Area.

The suspects were allegedly involved in kidnapping activities around Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

Further operations led to the arrest of two additional suspects allegedly linked to the syndicate. Police recovered one AK-47 rifle and one submachine gun during the operations.

Firearms And Ammunition Recovered

In another operation, Police recovered several firearms and ammunition following a complaint by a woman from Bonny who alleged that her husband threatened her with a firearm.

The suspect, Boma Dienye Allison, 35, was arrested on July 26, 2026. A search of his premises reportedly led to the recovery of two Beretta pistols, 97 rounds of live ammunition and one live cartridge.

Further investigation resulted in the arrest of two additional suspects.

Police Target Robbery And Cult-Related Activities

Two other suspects were arrested over alleged armed robbery and cult-related activities.

Police recovered a locally made cut-to-size pistol, a double-barrel pump-action gun and five live cartridges from the suspects, who reportedly confessed to several criminal activities.

Two suspected members of a one-chance robbery syndicate were also arrested during the period under review.

12 Stolen Vehicles Recovered

The Command also recovered 12 stolen vehicles as part of its ongoing crackdown on automobile theft.

On August 10, Police operatives intercepted Andrew Atausi, 49, along Ada George, Port Harcourt. He was allegedly dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

According to the Commissioner, the suspect admitted that he was not a member of the Armed Forces, while further investigation allegedly linked him to serial vehicle theft.

Police recovered three suspected stolen Toyota Hilux vehicles and a Toyota Corona Premio, with the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles allegedly tampered with.

An axe and military accoutrements were also recovered.

‘Rivers State Will Not Be A Safe Haven For Criminals’

The Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the Command's determination to sustain intelligence-led and proactive operations against criminal elements across Rivers State.

CP Adepoju also highlighted the importance of collaboration with the military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security stakeholders in strengthening public safety.

He urged residents to continue providing the Police with credible and timely information, noting that public cooperation has contributed significantly to recent operational successes.

The Commissioner further appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and be aware of their friends and associations, particularly in relation to cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and internet fraud.

He assured residents that the Command would continue to pursue criminal networks and bring those responsible for violent crimes to justice.