On November 17, 2024, at approximately 8:23 PM, operatives from the Rivers State Command responded to a distress call from the Command’s Control Room. The call reported a gang of four armed men operating a black Toyota Corolla, who had shot sporadically and kidnapped a man identified as Madabuchi Julius at the Sabbath Filling Station in Oyigbo.
Upon arriving at the scene, the police spotted the hoodlums, who attempted to flee. A hot pursuit ensued, and a gunfight erupted between the police operatives and the gang members while the police intercepted the suspects along Egbu Street, Oyigbo.
Unable to withstand the police’s superior firepower, the suspects abandoned Julius and their operational vehicle, which bears the registration number RIVERS PHC 938 AH, before escaping.
In a statement released by spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko on Wednesday, it was confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover their weapons.
Similarly, on November 18, 2024, at approximately 10:48 PM, operatives acting on credible information conducted a covert operation on St. Lorinta Street, Oyigbo. They arrested a 25-year-old male suspect named Gabriel Morris, a resident of Mercy Ground, Kom-Kom, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State.
During interrogation, Morris confessed to being a member of a syndicate that has been terrorizing Oyigbo and surrounding areas. Items recovered from him included a locally made pistol and a quantity of marijuana suspected to be Indian hemp.
Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate who are still at large.
