Police arrest five, recover stolen rifles after Rivers filling station attack

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five suspected criminals who attacked its operatives at a filling station in Elioparanwo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, and recovered rifles stolen during the attack.

The police said that since the assault early last month, operatives had been pursuing the suspects who stole weapons belonging to the force.

Spokesperson for the state command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday..

Iringe-Koko said their arrest followed a directive by the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, who instructed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to take over the investigation.

The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command, in a daring operation, has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the recent attack on personnel on November 12, 2025, at Tonninno Filling Station, Elioparanwo Road, Port Harcourt, with the arrest of suspects.

“Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, directed the operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to take over the investigation and ensure the swift arrest of the perpetrators and recovery of the stolen arms.

“The operatives, working on this specific directive, swung into action, utilising intelligence-led policing and other technical support, arrested four suspects actively connected to the attack on the personnel, and recovered the two stolen rifles.”

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects were linked to several crimes in Port Harcourt and other parts of the state.

“During preliminary investigations, it was revealed that the suspects have been involved in multiple crimes within the state.

“The suspects and recovered rifles (exhibits) are currently in police custody, and they are cooperating with the investigation team.

“The suspects are Anselem Paul (M), 45, from Imbaise LGA, Imo State; Supurchi Ejifor, aka Emejaka, 48, from Bende LGA, Abia State; Bright Nwabueze, aka Bishop, 53, from Umuahia South LGA, Abia State; Utibe Sunday, 24, from Ika LGA, Akwa Ibom State,” she said.

She added that one Ebuka Ruben, 32, from Ebonyi State, who allegedly orchestrated the attack on the filling station, has also been apprehended.

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang and recover the rest of their operational weapons,” she said.

Speaking, CP Adepoju lauded the operatives for their diligence, professionalism and swift response in arresting the suspects and recovering the rifles.

He noted that the command under his watch will continue to extend its reach across the state to ensure that perpetrators of crime face the full wrath of the law.

In another development, PUNCH Online reported on Sunday that the command said its operatives arrested two suspected car snatchers allegedly linked to several cases of vehicle theft in Port Harcourt, its environs, and neighbouring states.

The command said the breakthrough followed reports of stolen vehicles by affected individuals, noting that one of the recovered cars was traced to Abia State, where one of the suspects was also apprehended.