Five more suspects nabbed over Rivers robberies

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five additional suspects linked to recent robbery attacks on the Dr Obi Wali International Cultural Centre and Tottinno Filling Station in Port Harcourt, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to nine.

The command disclosed that the arrests followed weeks of discreet, intelligence-led investigations after an initial four suspects were apprehended, while other members of the gang went into hiding.

The command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.

According to her, sustained follow-up operations and a manhunt led to the arrest of the fleeing suspects at different locations, mainly within the Diobu and Ikoku areas of the state capital.

“The Rivers State Police Command is delighted to announce a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the robbery incidents that occurred at the Dr Obi Wali International Cultural Centre and Tottinno Filling Station,” the statement said.

“Our relentless pursuit of justice has yielded remarkable results, with the arrest of five additional suspects separately at different locations, including the Diobu and Ikoku axes of Port Harcourt on November 25, 26 and 28, 2025, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to nine, alongside the recovery of key exhibits.”

Iringe-Koko described the arrests as a demonstration of the command’s unwavering commitment to combating crime through intelligence-led policing.

She identified the suspects as Victor Ukabi, 41, of Nkpa in Bende LGA of Abia State; Basil Nwagazie, 65, from Eziobodo in Owerri West LGA of Imo State; Nkechinyere Wokem, 30, a POS operator from Ubuohia in Mbaise LGA of Imo State; Obinna Nwankwo, 44, of Umu-Erim in Umuaji Uloke, Omuma LGA of Rivers State; and Igwe Amabi Eze, 51, from Osuofio in Aguata LGA of Anambra State, who was identified as the receiver of the stolen items.

The statement recalled that the alleged gang leader, Bright Nwabueze, also known as “Bishop M”, aged 53, was earlier intercepted and arrested at the Rumuokoro flyover, where two rifles were recovered from his vehicle.

Recovered exhibits, according to the police, include a 30KVA generator retrieved from a buyer in Onitsha on December 12, 2025, inverter batteries recovered from one of the receiver’s shops in Ikoku, and two rifles.

Describing the development as a significant milestone in the investigation, Iringe-Koko said the suspects and recovered exhibits are currently in the command’s custody, while further investigations are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices.

She assured that all those involved in the “heinous crime” would be brought to justice.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Adepoju, has commended the operatives for their bravery and dedication, urging residents to continue to support police operations by providing credible information to aid the fight against crime across the state.