Police Arrest 12 Suspects for Violent Attack on Residents of Estate in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Police Command said it has arrested 12 suspects over alleged attack and indiscriminate gun shooting at Unity Estate in Mbodo-Aluu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

In a signed statement by the spokesperson of the State Police Command, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, yesterday, disclosed the suspects through the alleged support of some vigilante members in the area committed the crime on Monday afternoon.

Iringe-Koko stated “The Rivers State Police Command, in its sustained efforts to combat crime and criminality in the State, has arrested 12 suspects in connection with a violent attack on Unity Estate, located at Mbodo-Aluu, Airport Road, Port Harcourt.

The incident according to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) “occurred on January 5, 2025, at about 13:15hrs, when suspected members of the OSPAC vigilante group drawn from various communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, alongside hired thugs armed with pump-action guns, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons, invaded the estate”.

She disclosed the suspected assailants allegedly attacked and fired shot indiscriminately causing panic and apprehension in the area.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that one Patrick Akandu and Omakwelem Onu Ihunwo Prince are said to have coordinated the attack and are currently at large.

“The attack resulted in the destruction of part of the estate and damage to vehicles. One Apostle Stephen Nmacha, a native of Rumuekini Community, sustained a gunshot injury to the leg, which was shattered, and was subsequently abducted by the attackers. Others sustained various degrees of injuries and fled into nearby bushes for safety.

“Upon receipt of the distress call, operatives attached to the Choba Division swiftly mobilized to the scene and were reinforced by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) and Octopus Tactical Teams.”

The PPRO revealed that the abducted victim was rescued and taken to a medical facility for treatment.

Some of exhibits recovered from the suspects include: One automatic pump-action gun, one live cartridge, expanded cartridges, assorted charms, five motorcycles, two mini-buses and one Toyota Sienna van.

The arrested suspects are “Chinedu Nnodim (45), Joel Wopara (49), Wopara Iyke (45), Henry Godwin Orumere (44) Chidi Herbert (47), Wobe Ginikanwa (44), Bright Ezekiel (51), Ibuchi Wali Ogba (42), Okechukwu Igwe (54), John Chukwudi (56), Chi Ezekwu (43) and Clement Bassey (32)”.

The statement also revealed the Akpor OSPAC Commander, Azubuike, (a.k.a. Ocean), who was said to have allegedly led the attack was at large as at the time of this report.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has strongly condemned what he described as the reckless and reprehensible actions of the OSPAC operatives for taking the law into their hands.

He reiterated that OSPAC operatives are expected to operate strictly under the supervision of the Police and in synergy with the Command.

Adepoju assured Rivers people of their safety, saying that “Concerted efforts are ongoing to apprehend all remaining suspects involved in the attack to ensure they face the full weight of the law”, adding the Police will not tolerate any individual or group, under any guise, disrupting the peace and security of the state.