The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for the killing of two police officers during a stop-and-search operation in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area, and recovered the officers’ stolen service rifles.
The incident occurred on June 29, 2026, when the officers were attacked while on duty. One of the officers reportedly sustained severe leg injuries that later led to amputation before he eventually died. The assailants also carted away the officers’ service AK-47 rifles.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, the breakthrough followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, who ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s operational and intelligence assets to track down those responsible.
The statement said operatives of the Command’s Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on credible intelligence and sustained tactical operations, arrested three suspects identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, alias “Doctor,” 34; Chinedu Owhor, 42; and Kamachi Joe, 28. All three are natives of Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
Police said a total of three AK-47 rifles and one Scorpion rifle were recovered during the operation. The recovered firearms include the two AK-47 rifles earlier snatched from the slain officers.
Investigators also disclosed that the suspects had allegedly linked themselves to other murder cases currently under investigation.
The Command said efforts were ongoing to arrest a fourth member of the gang, who remains at large.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism, courage and dedication, Commissioner of Police Adepoju described the operation as a demonstration of the Command’s determination to ensure that those who attack police officers or engage in violent crimes are brought to justice.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property in line with the policing agenda of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, warning criminals to desist from unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law.
The Commissioner also urged residents of Rivers State to continue supporting the police by providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing efforts to combat crime and improve public safety across the state.
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