The Rivers Police Command continues to conquer criminal activities, as it neutralizes kidnap attempts, pipeline vandalism and arrests ritual killing suspects
Jude Nzennaya Port Harcourt
The Joint Security team comprising of the Nigeria Police, the Military and other sister agencies has foiled the vandalization of pipelines at Aluu and Rumukpe in Ikwere and Emohua Local Governments Area of Rivers State respectively, also rescued six kidnapped victims.
The team which comprises of the Police, Navy, Army, Airforce, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the State Security Service (SSS) jointly made the disclosure in a press briefing on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner of Police Rivers State Command, Olugbenga Adepoju who read out the text of the press briefing said since the declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers state, all the security agencies have been working as a team to ensure safety of lives and property.
Adepoju also commended the joint patrol team for diligently executing their mandate to support the government under the state of emergency in Rivers.
Adepoju said, “The Joint Security Team thwarted an attempt by miscreants to vandalize pipelines which led to the death of vandals at Aluu and Rumukpe”.
The CP disclosed that along Omoku road in ONELGA eight male suspects were arrested, while six kidnap victims were rescued as two pump action guns, two locally made pistols, four local single barrel guns, assorted ammunition and two motorcycles were also recovered from the hoodlums.
The Rivers Police helmsman disclosed that another case of criminal targeting pipeline was voided in ONELGA on 16th March as a suspect was arrested, four dynamites, communication equipment were recovered as well.
“This is as the Joint security team in the period under review destroyed over 30 illegal refining sites, impounded thousands of litres of AGO” he said.
CP Adepoju urged members of the public to provide security agencies with information comcerinig activities of criminals. “The safery of our emvironment is paramount to foster business growth as we remain resolute in maintaining law and order,
“We are fully prepared to carryout our responsibility with diligence. We have improved deployment of security personnel and operatives to curtail Movement of criminals and illicit materials,
“A targeted enforcement will commence to impound unregistered number plate, because such issue can jeopardize security.
“The Rivers Police Command will work in collaboration with other agencies to ensure peace and safety in the state” Adepoju concludes.
While urging parents and guardians to warn their children against sabotage and criminal conduct in the State.
According to SP Grace Iringe Koko, Public Relations Officer for the Rivers Police Command in a statement on Thursday, March, 27th, 2025 disclosed that the invitation became necessary due to the NDC’s persistent and emphatic calls for public protests within Rivers State.
“As part of its responsibility to ensure public safety, the Police sought clarification on the nature and objectives of these planned demonstrations.
“While the Command recognizes and upholds the fundamental right to peaceful assembly, it remains vigilant to the potential security risks that could arise from such gatherings.
“Public protests, if not properly managed, can escalate into unrest, creating opportunities for mischief-makers or individuals with ulterior motives to instigate violence, disrupt public order, and endanger lives and property. In such instances, the organizers would be held accountable for any breakdown of law and order.
“Following him been questioned, Mr. Saatah was released and permitted to leave” SP Koko”, said.
Koko urged all residents and stakeholders in the state to continue to uphold peace and stability, recognizing that security is in the best interest of all as the Command remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting lives and property while ensuring strict enforcement of law and order.
Further SP Koko stated that any individual or group found engaging in activities capable of disrupting public peace will be dealt with in accordance with the law as she advised members of the public to refrain from any actions that could undermine the relative peace in the state.
The spokesperson of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed that four suspects involved in the killing of seven-year-old twins for rituals has been arrested.
She said “the suspects were involved in a horrific case of ritual killing of two Children, Chizaram Onuche and Chidinma Onuche, both 7-year-olds.
Iringe-Koko stated that the arrest followed a report transferred from the Special Area Division, prompting operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to take swift action.
“On 23rd March 2025, at approximately 9 am, operatives arrested a native doctor and other individuals involved in the heinous crime.
“During the operation, law enforcement officers recovered key evidence, including a bottle containing the drained blood of the victims”, she stated.
The arrested suspects included: Aniekan Sunday Uko (male, 27 years, a native of Akwa Ibom State who is residing at 2nd Pipeline, Rukpokwu.
Aniekan was said to had lured the victims to his location, drugged them, using a drink known as Black Bullet as a sedative and subsequently slaughtered them, collecting their blood in a bottle.
Luis John Uwelemele (female, 19 years), a native of Cross River State, residing at Omuike, Aluu who is the girlfriend of the first suspect, Aniekan and was linked to the crime.
Kingsley Opurum (male, 43 years), a native of Etche, Rivers State, residing at 3rd Pipeline, Eneka who was implicated as the native doctor complicit in the murder of the slain children.
Friday Silas (male, 47 years) native of Plateau State, residing at 2nd Pipeline, Rukpokwu. The first suspect, Aniekan, claimed that he allowed him to stay at the uncompleted building where the killings took place.
Aniekan reportedly confessed that he became involved in the ritual killing after visiting the native doctor and witnessing him perform similar rituals for others in exchange for wealth.
According to him, the supposed native doctor Kingsley Opurum instructed him to provide fresh human remains and blood for ritualistic purposes.
Law enforcement officials visited the scene of the crime, documented evidence with photographs as well recovered additional exhibits.
Items retrieved from the scene of the crime included a kitchen knife identified as the murder weapon, a bottle filled with the victims’ blood, scooped by the suspect, an empty can of Black Bullet, used to drug the victims before the act and a spoon used to collect the victims’ blood.
The bodies of the victims of the suspected ritual killing have been deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP, Olugbenga Adepoju, assured that justice will be served and all perpetrators of this heinous crime will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
He further stated that investigations were ongoing to uncover further details and possible accomplices.
“We urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. The safety and security of all citizens remain our top priority”, he said.
