Police Arrest 12 Suspects, Recover Pump-Action Gun In Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested twelve suspects in connection with a violent attack on Unity Estate, located at Mbodo–Aluu along Airport Road in Port Harcourt, following a coordinated assault that left several residents injured, properties damaged, and one victim abducted.

The incident occurred on Monday, January 5, 2025, at about 1:15 p.m., when suspected members of the OSPAC vigilante group, drawn from various communities in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, allegedly stormed the estate alongside hired thugs.

In a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, the assailants were reportedly armed with pump-action guns, cutlasses, charms, and other dangerous weapons and fired shots indiscriminately, throwing residents into panic and apprehension.

According to Iringe-Koko, preliminary police investigations show that the attack was allegedly coordinated by one Patrick Akandu and Omakwelem Onu Ihunwo Prince, who are currently at large.

Also on the run is the Akpor OSPAC Commander, Azubuike, popularly known as “Ocean”, who is said to have led the operation.

She said, “The attack resulted in the partial destruction of the estate and damage to several vehicles. One of the victims, Apostle Stephen Nmecha, a native of the Rumuekini Community, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, which reportedly shattered the limb.

“He was subsequently abducted by the attackers, while other residents sustained varying degrees of injuries and fled into nearby bushes to escape the violence.”

She further explained that operatives attached to the Choba Division swiftly responded to a distress call from the area and were reinforced by personnel from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) and the Octopus Tactical Teams.

She added, “The combined security operation led to the rescue of the abducted victim, who was immediately taken to a medical facility for treatment.

“During the operation, police recovered several exhibits from the suspects, including one automatic pump-action gun, one live cartridge, expanded cartridges, assorted charms, five motorcycles, two minibuses, and one Siena van, believed to have been used during the attack.

“The twelve suspects arrested in connection with the incident are Chinedu Nnodim (45) from Etche LGA; Joel Wopara (49) of Rukpokwu; Wopara Iyke (45) of Rumuewara, Oraigwe; Henry Godwin Orumere (44) of Anaka Abuja Road; Chidi Herbert (47) of Ehi Water, Rumuodumanya; Wobe Ginikanwa (44) of Airport Road, Rukpokwu; Bright Ezekiel (51) of Ezekiel Road, Nkpolu, Rumuigbo; Ibuchi Choice Wali Ogba (42) of Rumuwokeata, Ogbogoro; Okechukwu Igwe (54) of Airport Road, Rumuodumanya; John Chukwudi (56) of Rumuchi Road, Ozuoba; Chi Ezekwu (43) of Ezekwu Avenue; and Clement Bassey (32) of Omachi, Rumuodumanya—all in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.”

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, strongly condemned the actions of the OSPAC operatives, describing them as reckless and reprehensible.

He warned that no group or individual would be allowed to take the law into their hands under any guise.

The Commissioner emphasised that OSPAC operatives are expected to operate strictly under police supervision and in synergy with the Command, stressing that any deviation from this mandate would attract severe consequences.

CP Adepoju assured residents of Rivers State of the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, adding that concerted efforts were ongoing to apprehend all fleeing suspects involved in the attack to ensure they face the full weight of the law.

The police also called on members of the public with credible information that could aid the arrest of the suspects still at large to come forward and assist security agencies or report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.