A joint security operation by the Rivers State Police Command, recovers firearms and ammunition from criminal hideouts
By Jude Nzennaya
Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Command has revealed a successful joint security operation carried out against criminal elements operating within the State. The Command disclosed the operation in a statement by its spokesperson
(ASP) Agabe Kaborlo Blessing and made available to newsmen.
In compliance with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Rilwan Disu, Rivers State Police Command has continued to collaborate with sister security agencies to enhance the protection and security of citizens, while also strengthening inter-agency cooperation and synergy.
On 12th April, 2026, at about 1300 hours, Tactical Teams of the Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Service (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), embarked on a coordinated operation to clear identified criminal camps suspected to be used as hideout for kidnapping and other criminal activities.
During the operation, the joint security team identified the criminal hideouts at IPO and IGWURUTA-ALI Camp. In the course of the operation, the following items were recovered, One (1) AK-47 rifle, One (1) pump-action gun, Two hundred and seventy-four (274) rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, Four (4) cartridges, native bulletproof materials, a large iron cutter, communication radios and other items.
Preliminary findings indicate that the recovered pump-action gun is suspected to be owned by the leader of the local vigilante group called (OSPAC) which was alleged to have been abducted few days ago.
The camps were said to be successfully destroyed by the team, one suspect was arrested within that vicinity and still under investigation, while other suspects fled the scene before the arrival of security operatives.
Accordingly, investigation is ongoing with a view to apprehending the fleeing suspects and rescuing the kidnapped victim.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, (CP) Olugbenga Adepoju, reassured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urged the public to continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information that would lead to the arrest of these criminal elements.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has appointed a new spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, following approval by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olutunji Rilwan Disu. Back-to-back, the command has appointed a woman as Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO). She succeeds the out-going spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe Koko, who has been redeployed to Abuja as the PA to the wife of the IGP.
ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo is an indigene of Rivers State, from Ogoni in Tai Local Government Area. According to a statement from the Police, she was commissioned into the Nigeria Police Force as Assistant Superintendent of Police in 2023 following the successful completion of rigorous field training programme at Nigeria Police Academy, where she obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). She also holds a Masters of Laws (LLM) degree from Rivers State University.
In the course of her training and career, she has attended several training, specialized professional courses, including combat operations and counter-terrorism course at the Police Mobile Force Training School, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State, Citizenship and Leadership Training Course at Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau State.
A professional to the core, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo has served the Nigeria Police Force in various capacities with commendable professionalism, discipline, and dedication. Her previous postings include Divisional Police Station, Okporo, Human Rights Section (DFA) second-in-command, Police Public Relations Office (PPRO) Rivers State Command.
According to the statement, members of the public and media can reach the new PPRO through the following contact numbers, 09031330752, 09118750070. And social media handles: X (Twitter): Rivers State Police Command, Facebook: Rivers Police E-News, TikTok: Official Agabe Blessing, Instagram: Agabe Kaborlo.
The Rivers State Police Command assures the public of continued transparency, effective communication, and strengthened police-community relations under the leadership of the new PPRO.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has warned residents, especially ladies to desist from meeting online strangers, in isolated or unfamiliar locations.
Adepoju gave the warning following the kidnap and rape of 24-year-old Miss Thomas Alice, who was lured to Igwuruta, from where she was subsequently taken to a bush in Ulakwo in Etche Local Government Area of the state.
The CP also charged ladies and job seekers to exercise extreme caution when interacting with individuals met online and inform trusted family members or friends of their movement.
The Police boss, further express the need for residents to verify identities before physical meeting online strangers, choose safe and public locations and remain vigilant at all time.
Adepoju also advised members of the public to promptly contact the Police through the designated emergency lines in case of any suspicion or emergency requiring prompt intervention.
The CP stated this in a release on Sunday, 12th April, 2026 signed by the state Police Public Relations Officers, Agabe Blessing Kaborlo who just took over from Grace Iringe Koko.
The statement revealed that one 24 years old Mr. Otamiri Prince was arrested in connection with victim’s kidnap and rape.
According to the Police “following a report made on 11th April, 2026 by one Miss Thomas Alice, aged 24 of Eliozu, Port Harcourt, the victim alleged that she was kidnapped on 3rd, January, 2026 by an individual she met online.
According to her statement, she was lured to Igwuruta from where she was subsequently taken by accomplices to a bush in Ulakwo, Etche Local Government Area where she was assaulted, raped and her valuables taken before she was later released.
“On receipt of the report, operatives of the command promptly commenced investigation, leveraging on technology-driven strategies of the Inspector-General of Police, Latunji Rilwan Disu, aided the investigation and eventual arrest of the suspect, Otamiri Prince “m” who confessed to the crime.
“Exhibits recovered from him include an iPhone, a wig suspected to belong to the victim and other valuables,” the command assured that “efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang as investigation continues after which the suspect(s) will be charged to court.
In the same vein, operatives of Rivers State Police Command have arrested a suspected serial killer, Kelechi Nwofuru, a native of Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State reported lured the victim, 51-year-old Ifeanyi Abobo, under the pretence of engaging him for a transport job involving the movement of wood.
Police said the suspect struck the driver repeatedly with a stick, wood and a machete until he became unconscious, after which his bus was stolen and later sold to accomplices.
The command’s spokesperson who confirmed the arrest said the operation followed intelligence-led investigations carried out by the special operations and intelligence team.
She added that the preliminary findings linked the suspect to other cases of murder and vehicle snatching in different parts of the state, noting that he had previously lured other drivers under similar pretence before dispossessing them of their vehicles.
According to her, the victim’s body had been exhumed by police, while investigations were ongoing and the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
The image maker also warned members of the public against purchase of used items without verifying proof of ownership, cautioning that such transaction could involve proceeds of crime.
The suspect in his statement said he contacted his cousin, Azubike Onyemaechi who linked him to a motor parts dealer, Uba Ikenna, who allegedly bought the stolen vehicle for N2.4 million.
He further claimed that the vehicle was later resold to another buyer for N3.44 million, while the victim’s mobile phone was sold for N45,000.
