Authorities Seize Arms And Explosives In Rivers State

Authorities Seize Arms And Explosives In Rivers State

The Rivers State Police Command successfully seizes arms and explosives in anti-cult operation

The Rivers State Police Command has effectively intercepted a cache of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), firearms, and ammunition from individuals suspected of involvement in cult-related activities.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed the operation’s success in a statement released on Tuesday in Port Harcourt….READ ALSOGunmen Fatally Shoot Printer In Rivers State

In a meticulously coordinated operation conducted by the command’s C4i Strike Force in collaboration with the local vigilance group, a suspected cultist identified as Samuel Nwokoma was apprehended.

Nwokoma led the security team to a hideout in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt, where the weapons were concealed.

“The arrest and seizures signify significant progress in addressing the recent surge of cult-related attacks and killings in Diobu,” said Iringe-Koko.

Nwokoma, a 25-year-old member of the notorious Blood Star cult group, was apprehended on March 17 around 7 a.m. following credible intelligence.

He has been implicated in several cult-related killings within the Diobu area of Port Harcourt.

Interrogators were able to extract a confession from Nwokoma regarding his alleged involvement in two cult-related attacks in the area.

“On March 14, at about 8:30 p.m., the suspect, along with his gang, attacked and fatally shot Ede Sunday, 32, at Nanka Street by Lumumba in Diobu. Similarly, on March 16, the gang also shot George Johnson, 28, in the chest at Ojoto Street by Emenike in the same area,” Iringe-Koko added.

Following his confession, Nwokoma led police operatives to his gang’s hideout at Ogwu Waterside in Diobu. However, the cultists fled through an adjacent river close to the hideout upon the arrival of officers.

A search of the hideout yielded three AK-47 rifles, one assault rifle, six AK-47 magazines, one Beretta pistol, and 274 rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition. Additionally, 105 rounds of 6.55 live ammunition, nine rounds of .9mm ammunition, seven packets of IEDs, one long wire used for detonating explosives, and various charms were recovered.

Efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects, and residents are urged to provide useful information that could facilitate their arrest.