The Rivers State Police Command said it has recovered eight explosive devices and arrested 33 suspects for various crimes, including cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and human trafficking in various parts of the state.

The police command also said its operatives recovered about 8000 ammunition resulting from an aggressive clampdown on crime and criminality in the oil-rich city.

The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this during a joint security briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Adepoju said the feat was achieved in collaboration with sister security operatives within the last seven months (January to August), but disclosed that most of the high-profile crimes were smashed within the period of the State of Emergency declared in the state.

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He said some of the arrested suspects include seven daredevil cutists who killed a Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Bright Owhor, in the D/line axis of Port Harcourt.

CP Adepoju stated, “In the past months, the Rivers State Police Command, working in close synergy with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and other critical security stakeholders, have made remarkable progress in our sustained operations to curb criminal activities across the State.

“Through this united effort, we have intensified our crackdown on violent crimes, leading to the arrest of numerous suspects involved in heinous offences such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, human trafficking, and murder, as well as the recovery of vital exhibits.

“Arrest of vandals at an oil-spilled well in Kpean community, Khana Local Government Area). The crime was committed on 10th August 2025.”

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He gave the names of some of the suspected vandals as, Joseph Nsukpe, aged 38, James Nkpogio, (20), Godspower Ngbam (28), Happy Mdor (27) and Apolebabari Ibede (35) among others.

Adepoju said among the eight explosive devices recovered were ‘Three GXI Dynamites’.

He listed the suspect who murdered the lawyer and withdrew his funds after collecting his Automated Teller Machine Card as Prince Samuel, aged 30, Daniel Godwin (25), Henry Peter (24), Godfrey Emmanuel a.k.a. Ibu (30), gang leader, Chukwu Nneji (34), Justice Dimkpa (27), Promise Wikere (22).

The CP further said eleven MTN SIM cards, four locally made pistols, seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, two live cartridges, one mini bus and one Toyota Camry were recovered from the suspects.

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CP Adepoju gave a breakdown of the arrest and recovery as follows: ’21 AK 47 rifles, 66 locally made guns, 800 ammunition, four magazines, eight Revolver Pistols, 115 Vehicles, 34 Pump action and two Dane guns’.

Others listed include’ Two Scorpions Sub-machine Gun, one
Lar Riffle, eight explosives, 33 arrested suspects, 10 English-made pistols, two GMP, 67 Cartridges and 15 Conventional ammunition.

Speaking further, Adepoju lauded the synergy amongst the various security agencies in the state, saying the State Police Command under his watch remains committed to the safety and security of the lives and properties of all citizens and residents.

He said, “These operations reflect a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and ensure public confidence in law enforcement agencies, especially as it concerns the upcoming chairmanship/councillorship elections.”

He therefore appealed to members of the public to partner with the security agencies in giving credible information to enable the outfits to serve the people better.
(PUNCH

A deadly confrontation occurred on Wednesday in the Mandilas area of Lagos Island, leaving one person dead after a stabbing incident.

The Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, through CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Police Public Relations Officer, clarified in a statement made available to The PUNCH that there was no tribal clash or ethnic conflict at Balogun Market, where the incident took place.

According to the police, “The Lagos State Police Command hereby wish to inform the general public that there was no tribal clash or disturbance between any ethnic groups and others inside Balogun Market today.

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“There was an incident of a free-for-all fight between some hoodlums and miscreants in the Balogun Market in the early hours of today at around 11 am.

“During the fight, one Ebuka Adindu from Abia State stabbed one Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State to death, and the said Ebuka Adindu in turn stabbed himself on the shoulder and became unconscious. He is currently under arrest in the hospital, where he is being treated.

“Investigation into the matter will be concluded, and he will be prosecuted after he has been discharged from the hospital. There was no loss of innocent lives or injury to any person or damage to the goods and properties of marketers inside Balogun Market.”

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The police emphasised that no innocent lives were lost beyond the victim, no other injuries were reported, and there was no damage to goods or property at the market.

Normalcy has been restored, and residents and traders have been urged to continue their activities without fear.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, called on residents to remain law-abiding and cooperate with the police to sustain peace in the state, stressing that Lagos remains generally peaceful.

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Eyewitnesses said the conflict began as a disagreement between the two men over the division of money from a recent job. The argument escalated, resulting in the fatal stabbing.

Bystanders reportedly restrained the attacker before handing him over to authorities. Tensions briefly flared again when friends of the deceased protested, but order was quickly restored.

The Edo State Police Command has rescued 16 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated operations along the Benin–Lagos and Benin–Akure highways.

Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the operations followed separate incidents on August 23, 2025, when armed kidnappers blocked sections of the highways and abducted several travellers.

According to the statement, distress calls prompted the swift mobilisation of operatives from the Iguobazuwa and Ekiadolor Divisions, supported by tactical teams, local vigilantes, and hunters. The teams embarked on intensive bush-combing operations to track the abductors and free the victims.

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It was noted in the statement that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led the operation along the Benin–Akure axis, deploying drones and other technical support to enhance precision.

“Six victims were rescued along the Benin–Akure Road, including one with a gunshot injury who is now receiving treatment. Three more victims were freed on the Benin–Lagos Road, while an additional seven regained their freedom on August 25,” the statement read.

Agbonika commended the operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters for their collaboration, stressing that the partnership between security agencies and communities remains vital in tackling violent crime.

He assured the public that efforts are ongoing to rescue remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators, adding that the command would continue to deploy human and technological resources to secure Edo highways.