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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for the killing of two police officers during a stop-and-search operation in the Aluu area of the state, recovering three AK-47 rifles and a Scorpion rifle in the process.
The officers were attacked on June 29, 2026, while on duty at the Aluu Police Division. One of the officers reportedly sustained severe injuries that led to the amputation of his leg before he later died, while the second officer was also killed. Their service AK-47 rifles were carted away by the attackers.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, the breakthrough followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, who ordered the deployment of the Command's operational and intelligence assets to track down those behind the attack and recover the stolen weapons.
She said operatives of the Command's Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on credible intelligence and sustained tactical operations, arrested three suspects identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, alias "Doctor," 34, Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28. All three are natives of Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The police said the operation led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles and one Scorpion rifle, including two of the AK-47 rifles earlier stolen from the slain officers. Investigators also linked the suspects to other murder cases currently under investigation.
The Command disclosed that efforts were ongoing to apprehend a fourth member of the gang who remains at large, expressing confidence that he would soon be brought to justice.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism, courage and dedication, CP Adepoju described the arrests as a major breakthrough that underscores the Command's determination to ensure that anyone who attacks security personnel or engages in violent crime has no hiding place in Rivers State.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command's commitment to the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, aimed at protecting lives and property while bringing criminal elements to justice. He warned criminals to abandon their activities or face the full weight of the law, assuring residents that the police would continue to identify, arrest and prosecute anyone threatening the peace and security of the state.
He also appealed to members of the public to support the police with timely and credible information to strengthen ongoing efforts to combat crime and improve public safety across Rivers State.
