The Rivers State Police Command has busted mischievous means through which criminals move arms within the state.
The Command revealed that criminals now conceal short guns, magazine and bullets in a large loaf of bread which aid them to beat Police and security check-points in the state.
While assuring the people of Rivers State that there will be drastic reduction of crime during the ’ember’ months, the Police said they will not relent in their effort to fight crime.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ahmad Mohammad gave the assurance while parading a five man gang, three Male and two females involved in technical criminal activities, otherwise known as One chance.
The Five man gang are among the thirty-nine persons paraded by the state Police Command for different criminal activities at the Command’s Headquarters, Moscow, Port Harcourt.
The gang who were alleged to have been involved in one chance met their waterloo while carrying out their operation at Elelenwo area of Obio Akpor Local government in Rivers state.
Parading the suspected criminals, Mohammad reiterated the Command’s commitment to secure lives and property in the state.
“At Arazona off Peter Odili Road, Port Harcourt, a team of Policemen acting on a distress call that on Mr. Emmanuel Akujobi who was kidnapped by armed men operating in a Volkswagen Golf 3 saloon car. The team chased the suspected kidnappers thereby forcing them to abandon the victim, their operational vehicle and the victim’s Lexus Jeep registration No. ABJ 724 BC.
“One of the suspected kidnappers also got fatally wounded during shot out with policemen. This effort has no doubt confirmed that our response time to distress calls has greatly improved.
“Policemen on routine patrol along Ada George road, Port Harcourt, sighted a suspicious black Honda Civic with registration No. AHD 145 RX with three young male occupants and on approaching the vehicle the occupants opened fire on the policemen. Three of
them got fatally wounded after a gun duel with the policemen while one AK 47 rifle, two magazines, 50 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition, a complete set of police uniform and a police bullet proof vest were recovered.
“In a similar vein, the Command smashed a gang of armed robbers who specialized in trailing unsuspecting bank customers and rob them off their hard earned money soon after withdrawal either through Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or from the banking hall.
“No. of suspected armed robbers arrested – 30, No. of suspected armed robbers fatally wounded – 3, No. of suspected kidnappers arrested – 12
No. of suspected kidnappers fatally wounded – 7 , o. of kidnaped victims rescued – 11, No of suspected cultists arrested – 21, No. of firearms recovered; AK 47 rifles – 2, Locally made pistols – 8, Double barrel gun – 1, Single barrel guns – 1, English made pistol – 1, Berretta pistol – 1, Locally made guns – 4
viii. Magazines – 4, No. of assorted ammunition recovered – 84, No. of cartridges recovered – 17, No. of vehicles recovered – 15
“These achievements are largely predicated to the tremendous support the Command is enjoying from the security conscious and patriotic citizens by way of volunteering timely, credible and actionable information.
“Finally, the Command equally reiterates its determination to sustain the onslaught to the identified similar criminals’ hideouts. Such operation would be sustained with all vigour until the nefarious activities of the undesirable elements are brought to halt.”
