Rivers Police Command Arrests 13 Suspects Including Soldiers and NSCDC Officer

Rivers Police Command Arrests 13 Suspects Including Soldiers and NSCDC Officer: The Rivers Police Command has announced the arrest of 13 suspects involved in hijacking and diverting trailer loads of goods in the state.

The arrests followed a distress call on March 4, 2024, regarding a burglary attempt at warehouses owned by

Emmanuel Nwangwu and Mrs Ndifreke Ekanem in Elimgbu. Swift action by the police led to the apprehension of the suspects,

including five who had been beaten by a mob. The wounded suspects were taken to the police hospital, where they confessed to their crimes during interrogation.

One of the suspects, West Isaac, a corporal in the Nigerian Army serving in Delta State, and Jabila Kammangar, an officer

of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps serving in Kogi State, abandoned their posts to engage in criminal activities

in Rivers State due to its lucrativeness. Further investigations revealed that they were part of a larger criminal ring specializing in armed robbery, hijacking, and goods diversion.

the track of the suspects

The police were able to track down and arrest additional suspects, including Lance Corporal Abdul Musa, Lance Corporal Mgbe Jeoffrey,

and Corporal Innocent Okwoli, all personnel of the Nigerian Army, as well as eight civilian collaborators. The group’s key coordinator,

Corporal Innocent Okwoli, stated that he started leading hijacking operations after being introduced to the activity by an individual named Abbas and two unnamed Naval officers.

The group’s numerous crimes include the hijacking of trailers loaded with fertiliser, imported clothing, and POP cement, valued at millions of naira.

The police have recovered some of the stolen goods and are working to retrieve more. The three affected soldiers have been dismissed by the

Nigerian Army and handed over to the police for prosecution.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, praised the prompt actions of the police and the military authorities, emphasizing the

importance of collaborative efforts in upholding justice and maintaining public trust in law enforcement institutions.

©Nelson Obinna