Rivers Police recover explosives, Arrest 33 suspects in major crime crackdown

The Rivers State Police Command has announced the recovery of eight explosive devices and the arrest of 33 suspects linked to a series of high-profile crimes, including cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, oil theft, and human trafficking.

This major breakthrough, achieved through a coordinated effort with other security agencies, was disclosed by the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, during a joint security briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Adepoju revealed that the operations—conducted between January and August 2025—intensified during the State of Emergency period declared in the state, resulting in the dismantling of several violent criminal syndicates.

“In the past months, the Rivers State Police Command, working in close synergy with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, NSCDC, DSS, and other critical security stakeholders, has made remarkable progress in our sustained operations to curb criminal activities,” CP Adepoju said.

According to the police, the following items were recovered during the clampdown:

• 21 AK-47 rifles

• 66 locally made guns

• 8000 rounds of ammunition

• 8 explosive devices, including three GXI dynamites

• 115 vehicles

• 34 pump-action guns

• 10 English-made pistols, 8 revolver pistols, and 2 GMPs

• 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 2 live cartridges, and 67 other cartridges

• 11 MTN SIM cards

• One mini-bus and one Toyota Camry

• One Lar Rifle, two Scorpion sub-machine guns, and four magazines.

Among those arrested were seven suspected cultists involved in the brutal murder of Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Bright Owhor, in the D/Line area of the city.

The suspects reportedly stole the victim’s ATM card and withdrew funds after killing him.

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Suspects named in the murder case include:

• Prince Samuel (30)

• Daniel Godwin (25)

• Henry Peter (24)

• Godfrey Emmanuel a.k.a. Ibu (30), identified as the gang leader

• Chukwu Nneji (34)

• Justice Dimkpa (27)

• Promise Wikere (22)

In a separate case, five suspected vandals were apprehended for tampering with an oil-spilled well in Kpean community, Khana LGA, on August 10, 2025.

Suspected oil vandals include:

• Joseph Nsukpe (38)

• James Nkpogio (20)

• Godspower Ngbam (28)

• Happy Mdor (27)

• Apolebabari Ibede (35)

CP Adepoju commended the inter-agency collaboration that made the results possible, noting that the operations form part of a broader security strategy ahead of the upcoming chairmanship and councillorship elections in the state.

“These operations reflect a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and ensure public confidence in law enforcement agencies,” he said.

He further appealed to residents to partner with the police and other agencies by providing credible intelligence to aid investigations and community policing.

“We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in Rivers State,” the CP stated.