The Rivers State Police Command says it has arrested three suspects allegedly linked to the killing of two police officers during an attack on a stop-and-search team in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The officers were reportedly attacked on June 29, 2026, when armed assailants opened fire on them and fled with their service AK-47 rifles.
The command’s spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Blessing Agabe, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
According to Agabe, one of the officers sustained severe gunshot wounds that led to the amputation of one of his legs before he later died in hospital, while the second officer also lost his life in the attack.
“Following the tragic incident, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, directed that all operational and intelligence assets of the command be deployed to track down those responsible and recover the stolen police firearms,” Agabe said.
She explained that operatives of the Command’s Violence Crime Response Unit, acting on credible intelligence and sustained tactical operations, traced the suspects to their hideout and arrested them.
The police identified the suspects as 34-year-old Maduabuchi Emeka, also known as “Doctor,” from Egbata Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area; 42-year-old Chinedu Owhor, an indigene of Akabuka in the same local government area but resident in Aluu; and 28-year-old Kamachi Joe, also from Egbata Community.
Agabe said the operation led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles and one Scorpion rifle.
“Three AK-47 rifles and one Scorpion rifle were recovered during the operation. One of the suspects has also made useful disclosures linking the gang to other murder cases currently under investigation,” she stated.
She added that security operatives had intensified efforts to apprehend a fourth member of the gang who remains at large.
Commending the operatives for the breakthrough, the Commissioner of Police described the arrests as evidence of the command’s determination to bring violent criminals to justice.
“This achievement demonstrates our resolve to ensure that anyone who attacks police officers or engages in violent crimes has no hiding place in Rivers State,” Adepoju said.
The police commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
“Criminals should either abandon their unlawful activities or be prepared to face the full weight of the law. Rivers State is not a safe haven for criminals,” he warned.
Adepoju also appealed to residents to continue supporting the police by providing timely and credible information that would assist ongoing efforts to tackle crime and improve public safety across the state.
