Metro

Police Recover Eight Explosives, 8000 Ammunition, Arrest 33 Suspects In Rivers

Published

8 months ago

August 28, 2025

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.

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.”

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.

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

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.