The Rivers State Police command said it has killed or fatally wounded 36 armed robbery/kidnap suspects across the state and arrested 345 suspects in the process.
The State Commissioner of Police (CP) Mr. Mohammed Indabawa disclosed this recently in Port Harcourt during a press briefing.
According to him, the command also recovered 52 different types of firearms, 600 rounds of ammunition and 42 vehicles/motorcycles in 22 raids of criminal hideouts in the state between April and August, 2012.
A breakdown of the figure shows that 10 kidnap, 26 armed robbery suspects were among the dead, while 173 armed robbery suspects, 78 cultists, 72 kidnap suspects, 6 vandals, as well as 16 persons involved in other sundry crimes were arrested.
The CP also told journalists that 17 kidnapped victims were rescued during the period under review.
Mr. Indabawa who attributed the success recorded by his command to the cooperation of Rivers people, assured that they will not relent in their fight against criminality in the state.
He regretted that 13 of his officers lost their lives in the course of their duties during the period and thanked the Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi for his support to the police command, especially his financial assistance to the families of deceased police officers who died in active service.
The CP reiterated his command’s commitment towards ensuring maximum security of lives and property, especially during the ember months.
Governor Amaechi had early this year donated N1m each to families of police officers who lost their lives in active service in the State. A gesture applauded by all well-meaning citizens of Rivers State. ###
Barth Ndu
