In its bid to contain crimes and criminality in Rivers State, the police command arrests notorious armed robbers, kidnappers, killers and others, while sending a strong warning to criminal elements to steer clear of the state
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Command has successfully arrested suspected armed robbers involved in a series of tricycle thefts across the Elelenwo, Igwuruta, Tank and Woji axis of Port Harcourt.
According to reports, on March 19, 2026, at about 2300 hours, one Sadiq Gara, a 32-year-old male tricycle operator, reported at Octopus Base that on March 18, 2026, at about 0900 hours, while operating in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, he picked up three passengers. During the trip, the passengers asked him to stop at a point and in the process one of them brought a gun and robbed him of his tricycle.
According to a statement from the state police spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, following the report, operatives of the command immediately swung into action and successfully recovered the stolen tricycle. Further intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of two suspects at their criminal hideout located at Army Range Igwuruta. The suspects are Abdullahi Mohammed (Male, 25) and Yesufu Umaru (Male, 25 years). In addition, one Mohammed Usman (Male, 28), a suspected receiver of stolen items, was also arrested.
The statement further stated that the suspects confessed to the crime during interrogation. Items recovered from the suspects include one locally made pistol, two live cartridges, and two stolen tricycles. During the course of the investigation, another victim, Rosemary James, identified one of the suspects as a member of the gang that had earlier robbed her of her tricycle earlier this year.
According to the image-maker statement, preliminary investigation further revealed that the suspects are part of a syndicate responsible for robbing tricycle operators across the Elelenwo, Igwuruta, Tank, and Woji axis. The suspects also admitted having delivered over twenty (20) stolen tricycles to the receiver, who subsequently transported them to Kano, Bauchi, and Adamawa states.
Investigation is ongoing, and efforts have been intensified to apprehend other members of the gang and recover additional stolen tricycles.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adepuju, has advised members of the public, particularly commercial tricycle operators, to remain vigilant, avoid picking up suspicious passengers, especially at odd hours and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. The command further reassures residents of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and properties across the state. The command noted that investigation is ongoing with effort underway to arrest other members of the gang and recover more stolen items.
Similarly, operatives of the Imo State Police Command have nabbed a notorious 12-member kidnapping gang with a cache of firearms and ammunition recovered.
The police, in a joint operation carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Tiger Base Unit, and the QIT-IMS Anchor Base Unit, reportedly busted the deadly kidnapping gang linked to a string of abductions across the South-East.
Tentacle gathered that the suspects, infamous for collecting ransoms from victims’ families and then killing their captives, were arrested in Rivers State after a coordinated operation. Some of the firearms recovered from the criminal gang include AK-47 rifles, shotguns, locally made pistols, and ammunition.
In a related development, operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested a five-member criminal gang, including a female suspect accused of luring victims during an early morning operation on March 24, 2026, in Ihiala. According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, the suspects were apprehended by officers attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu. Recovered items include a locally made Beretta pistol, three Qlink motorcycles suspected to have been stolen, and a red face mask.
“The operatives arrested a five-member gang including a female suspect who specialises in luring unsuspecting commercial motorcyclists for robbery operations in Ihiala” Ikenga said.
Police identified the suspects as Sunday Chukwudebele (22), Adaobi Udeze (26), Chimezie Ifesi (35), Kelvin Chukwuejike (28), and Uzi Chukwuejike Williams Umeh (26). Preliminary investigations revealed that the female suspect allegedly posed as a passenger to deceive commercial motorcyclists, leading them to isolated locations where other gang members would attack and rob them of their motorcycles and valuables.
Reacting, the commissioner of police, Ikioye Orestugu, commended the operatives for their swift action, reiterating the command’s resolve to protect lives and property. “We remain committed to ensuring the safety of residents across the state and urged members of the public, especially commercial motorcyclists to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements,” he said.
In another development, four persons are being held at the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Yenagoa, following the reported collapse and death of a 47-year-old man, simply identified as Emi, after receiving 40 strokes of the cane for the alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl at Ekeremor in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
According to sources, the incident occurred on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the riverside settlement, and ignited a fierce debate over the clash between ancient tradition and modern law. Emi was caught sexually assaulting the minor in a nearby bush. The victim had been walking home from a farm with her aunt when the suspect allegedly ambushed her.
Tentacle gathered that under a long-standing local tradition designed to punish the ‘sacrilegious act’ of rape, the customary punishment is severe: 10 strokes of the cane from each of the community’s 12 families, totaling 120 lashes.
Tensions ran high as some members of the community attempted to offer an alternative to the brutal flogging. One individual was said to have offered ₦50,000 and another ₦15,000 to spare the suspect. However, the wider community allegedly rejected the offer, insisting the full traditional penalty must be enforced as a deterrent.
According to Tentacle sources, what followed was a marathon flogging session that proved fatal. Sources said the suspect collapsed and lost consciousness after enduring just 40 strokes—a third of the prescribed sentence. He was later confirmed dead on arrival at the community hospital.
The tragic outcome Tentacle further gathered has drawn sharp condemnation from local authorities. The Chief Press Secretary to the Southern Ijaw Council Chairman, Mr. Aye Baitari Easterday, confirmed the incident and stressed that the government does not condone mob action.
“As much as the council does not align with the repugnant attempted rape of the minor, the action of the youths is alien. It would have only been commendable if they had reported the matter to security agencies for the law to take its course,” Easterday added.
