Operatives of the C4i Strike Force unit of the Rivers State Police Command has apprehended one Samuel Nwokoma, a 25-year-old suspected armed robber and member of Blood Star cult group in Port Harcourt.
The Police in collaboration with a local vigilance group, know as Diobu Vigilante nabed the suspect following credible intelligence, disclosing that the suspect had been involved in a series of cult-related killings within the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement on Tuesday, disclosed that the suspect during interrogation, confessed to have been directly involved in two dangerous incidents that led to the deaths of Mr. Ede Sunday and George Johnson, recently at the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
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She said, “During the subsequent interrogation, Samuel Nwokoma confessed to his involvement in two specific incidents. On the 14th of March, 2024, at approximately 2030hrs, he and his gang attacked and fatally shot Ede Sunday, a 32-year-old male, at Nanka Street by Lumumba, Dioubu, Port Harcourt.
“On the 16th of March, 2024, at approximately 2035hrs, they also shot George Johnson, a 28-year-old male, in the chest at Ojoto Street by Emenike, Diobu, Port Harcourt. Despite receiving immediate medical attention at New Mile One Clinic Diobu, George Johnson tragically succumbed to injuries.”
Iringe-Koko further stated that the police in the course of investigation busted the hideout of the suspect’s gang located in Ogwu Waterside, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
She said other gang members of the suspect escaped through the nearby river when operatives of the command invaded the criminal hideout, adding that after a thorough search at the location, recovered arms and ammunition including three AK-47 rifles, one assault rifle, six AK-47 magazines, one Beretta pistol and 274 rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition.
Other recovered weapons includes 105 rounds of 6.55 live ammunition, nine rounds of .9mm ammunition, seven packets of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), one long detonating wire, and various types of charms.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, said the recovery of the dangerous weapons and explosives not only neutralises an immediate threat to public safety, but also highlights the commitment of the Police Command in combating violent crimes within communities.
Disu said, “We assure the public that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the apprehension of all individuals involved in these criminal activities.
“The Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of the community.”
The CP further urged members of the public to continue cooperating with the police in providing relevant information that may aid in the arrest of criminals.
