The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has vowed to bring to justice the perpetrators of a gruesome attack on the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rivers State Cassava Project Limited, Mr. Gibson Reuben, an expatriate from the Netherlands.

According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the attack occurred on Monday, January 13, 2025, arounf 8.30pm at Aleto Eleme Bridge, where unknown gunmen ambushed Reuben’s vehicle, causing him to lose control and crash into the river.

Fortunately, the mobile police personnel accompanying Reuben managed to escape, but he and the Hilux van were submerged in the water.

Iringe-Koko said a search party led by the Command’s Marine Unit was constituted to rescue the expatriate.

Unfortunately, the search party’s efforts resulted in the recovery of the lifeless body of Mr. Gibson Reuben and the white Toyota Hilux van.

She said: “The incident occurred on Monday, 13th January, 2025, at about 2030hrs at Aleto Eleme Bridge, where unknown gunmen ambushed Reuben’s vehicle, causing him to lose control and crash into the river.

“Fortunately, the Mobile Police personnel accompanying Reuben managed to escape, but he and the Hilux van are still submerged in the water. A search party led by the Command’s Marine Unit has since been constituted to rescue the expatriate who is also the driver in charge of the Hilux van. The search party’s efforts resulted in the recovery of the lifeless body of the expatriate, Mr. Gibson Reuben, and the white Toyota Hilux van.

“The recovery of the body and vehicle brings a somber end to the rescue efforts.”

The state police boss, Adepoju, who visited the scene of the incident, condemned the attack as “very barbaric” and ordered a full-scale investigation with the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.

He vowed to bring them to justice, calling on the good people of Rivers State to provide credible information that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing perpetrators.

The Rivers State Police Command has assured that it is working tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the state.

The police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist in the investigation.

The command said it is committed to ensuring that justice is served and the perpetrators are brought to book.