Police Arrest Murder Suspect, Dismiss Officer over Robbery in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Police command has arrested Alexander Johnbull over the murder of a man simply identified as Abubakar in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi disclosed this yesterday, while parading Johnbull and other suspects at the command headquarters, on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

Speaking on the offences allegedly committed by the paraded suspects,  Nwonyi said Johnbull killed his victim, a wristwatch seller and stole his gold jewelry.

He revealed that the incident occurred in December 2021, the suspect fled from the area of incident but was recently arrested this month in his hometown, at Buguma in Asari-Toru Local government area of the state.

According to the CP, “Operatives of Rivers State Police Command attached to Buguma Division on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at about 1700hrs received a credible intelligence that one Alexander Johnbull who killed one Abubakar, a wristwatch seller and stole his gold jewelry in December 2021 and ran away, but base on pressure later came back to Buguma.

“Police patrol team went to his house and arrested him. He is presently in custody and further investigation is ongoing”.

In another development, a police Cpl, Bright Wamadi, who was paraded last month and accused of involvement in robbery activities in the state, has been dismissed by the command.

The CP said after a thorough investigation, Wamadi was dismissed and charged to court.

Nwonyi said: “Sequel to the press briefing on July 13, 2023, on the arrest of an armed robber by men of the C4i Intelligence Team while on routine patrol, which one Police Cpl. Bright Okay Wamadi, among the three-man armed robbery syndicate, who has been tried and dismissed upon conclusion of the investigation in line with Police internal procedures.

“They have also been arraigned in court on July 27, 2023, and is presently in Nigeria Correctional Centre.”

Other suspects include three female and two male who specialises on one chance and robbery within the metropolis of Port Harcourt and its environs.

Parading them also, CP Nwonyi said: “On August 12, 2023, at about 08:30am, based on intelligence tips, the following suspects were arrested: Isaac Kalu “M,” Nnorom Ikechukwu “M,” Nneka Umezinwa “F,” Chioma Ebere F, and Onyinye Nduuisi “F.” One Passat Wagon car with registration number Rivers, NCH 503 MA, was recovered from them.

“They are made to be known people who specialise in one chance/robbery operating within the Ozuoba-Choba axis. Five suspects arrested.”

Nwonyi said investigation is ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate.

Also arrested, is a member of a notorious car-snatching syndicate and armed robbery suspect.

Nwonyi said: “On Sunday, August 13, 2023 at about 04:43am, following a discreet investigation, a team of Police operatives trailed and arrested one Elvis Okirika of Bomadi, Delta State, but resident in Abuja Down, Port Harcourt, in his hideout along Niger Street, Port Harcourt.

“The  suspect a member of a five-man gang of notorious armed robbery and car snatching syndicate recently terrorizing residents of Port Harcourt.”

The CP said investigation is also in progress as efforts are intensified to arrest other members of the notorious gang who are still at large so as to recover all stolen properties and their operational weapons. He added that some of the suspects are in Police net.