Police arrest four suspects over killing of police inspector, civilian in Rivers

The Police Command in Rivers State says it has apprehended four persons over alleged involvement in the killing of a police inspector and a civilian in the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Ms Agabe, an assistant superintendent of police, said a police inspector named Womoma was shot dead on 4 August while on duty at a checkpoint along the East-West Road near Elele Alimini Junction in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers.

She also linked the suspects to the killing of Joseph Onyeka, who was shot dead in Rumuji Community on 23 July.

According to her, the suspects were apprehended following credible intelligence received by the police about the gang’s activities.

“Following credible intelligence on 4 October at about 4 p.m., the commander of the Violent Crime Response Unit led a team of police officers to confront the criminal gang.

“Our officers confronted the armed robbery and kidnapping gang, leading to the arrest of four suspects in Rumuekpe Community, Emohua Local Government Area,” she said.

Ms Agabe said the police recovered several firearms and ammunition during the intelligence-led operation.

She said preliminary investigations linked the suspects to armed robbery and kidnapping incidents in Choba, Elele Alimini, Emohua and Rumuekpe communities.

“During interrogation, they confessed to the robbery and murder of Onyeka on 23 July at Rumuji Community and shooting of Insp Womoma while on checkpoint duty on 4 August,” she said.

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Ms Agabe said two AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, an English-made double-barrel rifle, a locally made revolver pistol and 58 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

She said efforts were ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the gang.

The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olugbenga Adepoju, had directed personnel to intensify raids and targeted operations against criminals.

She said Mr Adepoju commended the operatives for their courage and professionalism in tackling crime in the state.

“The commissioner of police has assured residents that the command will sustain intelligence-led operations and investigations to dismantle criminal networks,” she said.

She urged residents to report suspicious activities promptly, assuring them that information provided would be treated confidentially.

(NAN)