Rivers State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its investigation into the November 12 attack on police personnel at Tonninno Filling Station, Elioparanwo Road, Port Harcourt, with the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of two stolen rifles.
In a statement on Tuesday, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, had ordered the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) to take over the case and ensure the swift arrest of the perpetrators and recovery of the stolen arms.
Acting on the directive, AKU operatives deployed intelligence-led policing and technical support to track down the suspects believed to be directly connected to the attack. Those arrested include:Ansalem Paul, 45, from Mbaise LGA, Imo State; Supurchi Ejiofor (aka Emejaka), 48, from Bende LGA, Abia State; Bright Nwabueze (aka Bishop), 58, from Umuahia South LGA, Abia State; and Utibe Sunday, 24, from Ika LGA, Akwa Ibom State.
The police also identified Ebuka Reuben, 32, from Ebonyi State, as the mastermind and leader of the gang responsible for the attack on officers at the filling station.
According to the statement, the suspects voluntarily confessed during preliminary interrogation, and further investigations revealed they had been involved in multiple criminal activities across the state.
The two rifles stolen during the attack were recovered, and both the suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody, cooperating with investigators.
Iringe-Koko added that efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members and recover additional weapons used in their operations.
Commissioner Adepoju commended the professionalism and swift action of the operatives, assuring residents that the command will continue to extend its operations across every part of the state to ensure criminals are brought to justice.
