The Rivers Police Command says it is facing criminals in the state headlong in its effort to contain insecurity in all the parts of its domain
Jude Nzennaya, Port Harcourt
A Police Inspector, Maxwell Zabu who is said to be a security detail attached to Hon. Victor Ihunwo, former Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State allegedly shot himself dead at the Eagle Island residence of the ex-PHALGA Chairman in Port Harcourt.
Tentacle gathered that the incident was reported at the Eagle Island Police Post under the Azikiwe Police Division, Illabouchi, Mile 2 Diobu, Port Harcourt.
It was learnt that detectives from the Azikiwe Police Division had visited the scene as part of the preliminary investigation procedures.
Grace Iringe Koko, Superintendent of Police (SP), and the Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, told Tentacle that it is suspected that the Police officer killed himself, however she added that investigation was still going on to ascertain what actually led to the officer’s death.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police (CP) Olugbenga Adepoju has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for detailed investigation.
In the same vein four suspects involved in the kidnap and murder of a company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has been killed by the Police in Rivers.
The command said it has made significant progress on the unfortunate kidnap and subsequent murder of one Hope Georgewill, the Chief Executive Officer of HMG Attitude Limited, who was abducted alongside two others on March 26, 2025, along the Cotton Channel, Bakana River, by a gang of notorious sea pirates led by one Mr Preye Ngian-Ngian, a native of Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Rivers Police Command, Koko on April 22nd, 2025, she said despite a ransom payment of Two Million Naira made to the kidnappers, they still killed the victim, but his body was later recovered and deposited at the morgue.
The PPRO explained that investigative efforts and intelligence of the command’s officers on April 3, 2025, in collaboration with the operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua, as well as intelligence gathered from two earlier arrested suspects in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, launched a tactical operation on the kidnappers’ hideout located in a creek off the Bonny Waterway.
The Police image maker further explained that upon arrival at the hideout, the operatives came under heavy gunfire from the hoodlums.
Her words, “The team responded with decisive force, and in the ensuing exchange, two of the suspects were fatally wounded, while others fled the scene with varying degrees of injuries.
“The two initial suspects who led the team to the location attempted to escape during the shootout but were later apprehended with gunshot wounds.
“During a continued combing of the creek, the following exhibits were recovered, one operational speedboat, one 80-horsepower and one 70-horsepower outboard engines respectively, the deceased’s mobile phone (SIM card removed), one live cartridge, food supplies used by the kidnappers.”
Koko further revealed that all the four wounded suspects were immediately transported to the Police Clinic for emergency treatment. However, upon arrival, the attending medical officer confirmed them dead on arrival. Their remains have since been deposited for autopsy.
CP Adepoju, has commended the men of the command as the development marks a significant breakthrough in the continued effort to rid Rivers waterways and communities of criminal elements.
Adepoju stated that the Rivers State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the state.
