The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate and recovered six firearms and 58 rounds of live ammunition in an intelligence-led operation.

In a statement signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, the police said the suspects were arrested following an operation at Rumuekpe Community in Emohua Local Government Area on October 4, 2026.

The suspects were identified as Chinemerem Uchewo, Michael Ishaka, Abdulahi George and Gideon Okah, who was subsequently arrested in Owerri, Imo State.

The command said preliminary investigations linked the suspects to several armed robbery and kidnapping incidents in Choba, Elele Alimini, Emohua and Rumuekpe communities in Rivers State.

According to the statement, the suspects also confessed to the robbery and killing of Joseph Onyeka in Rumuji Community on July 23, 2026.

They were also linked to the shooting of an Inspector of Police, identified as Womoma, who was attached to the Rivers State Police Command, while on duty at a checkpoint along the East-West Road near Elele Alimini Junction on August 4, 2026.

The police said the operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one English-made double-barrel rifle, one locally made revolver pistol, and 58 rounds of live ammunition.

The command said efforts had been intensified to arrest fleeing members of the alleged criminal syndicate and bring all those connected with the incidents to justice.

The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the operatives for their courage, professionalism and commitment to combating violent crime in the state.

Adepoju assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led raids, targeted operations and investigations to dismantle criminal networks and recover illegal firearms.

He warned criminals and their collaborators to desist from unlawful activities, adding that the police would continue efforts to bring perpetrators of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes to justice.

The commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information about suspicious activities in their communities, assuring them that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.