Police Raid Notorious Criminal Gang’s Hideout, Kill Two in Rivers

Gunmen abduct NRM guber candidate, Sobomabo Jackrich

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

In a bid to end the ongoing  activities  cultists and other related crimes in Rivers State, operatives of the state Police Command yesterday raided the hideout of notorious criminal gang, killed two of the suspects in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.

In another development, gunmen in military uniform early hours of yesterday  abducted the governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) in the 2023 general election in Rivers State, Mr Sobomabo Jackrich

THISDAY learnt that a team of police personnel stormed the forest in Ogbologbo in Ahoada West, in search of the notorious gang leader, Ikem ThankGod (aka General 2man), where the suspects opened fire on the officers on sighting them.

It was also gathered that in the heat of the gun battle, General 2man who was alleged to be an ally with the killed two kingpins, 2Baba and Odereke, escaped while his second and third in command lost their lives in the battle.

Speaking on the incident that led to the raiding of the criminal hideout, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko disclosed that the killed suspects and the leader at large were responsible for a lot of serial killings that happened in Ahoada and its environs.

The police spokesperson stated that the kingpin and his gang members have killed over 20 persons in the area, including a police officer. She added that without provocation, the suspects buried so many natives alive. 

According to the PPRO, “Today, April 8, 2024, a team of police officers was deployed to the Ogbologbo community in Ahoada West Local Government Area to bring an end to the reign of terror of one Ikem ThankGod, popularly known as General 2man.

“General 2man, a close ally of the now neutralised 2Baba and General Odereke, was a terror in the Ahoada West and neighbouring Local Government Areas. Some of his nefarious activities include the shooting to death of Inspector Usang Ude on April 13, 2023. 

“On March 5, 2024, he also murdered four persons, namely, Henry Kirirka, Patience Henry, Abigail Victor, and Chigozie Okpo. He also slaughtered one Samuel Philip without provocation. Last month, he buried several persons alive, including Christmas Ede and Agode Gamany.

“He has carried out a lot of kidnapping activities within and outside the Ahoada West Local Government Area. His catalogue of criminal activities also includes armed robbery and vandalisation of valuable properties. He coordinates the de-roofing of public buildings and the selling of the roofing sheets. 

“He also constituted himself as an authority that approves social events within the Local Government Area. This has made him attack and disrupt weddings, burials, which he did not approve of.”

The police spokesperson added: “During the operation, General 2man and his gang opened fire on the Police tactical team. Though he was able to evade arrest, his second-in-command, ThankGod Uchechi (aka, ‘Pastor SP,’) and his third-in-command, Okpo Emenike (‘Western King’) were fatally wounded.”

Iringe-Koko stated that during the gun battle several members of the General 2man led criminal group escaped with gunshot injuries, adding that “two loaded AK-47 rifles and eight magazines were recovered from the gang.” 

She assured  the people that “concerted efforts are in top gear to bring General 2man and his fleeing gang members to justice and put an end to his reign of terror.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, while commending the tactical team for their efforts, reiterates his commitment to fighting crimes in the state. 

He urged members of the public to feed the police with reliable information that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects and other criminal elements in the State.

Meanwhile, gunmen in military uniform have  abducted the governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) in the 2023 general election in Rivers State, Mr Sobomabo Jackrich.

THISDAY gathered that the incident, which happened at the hometown of the NRM candidate  in Usokun, Degema Local Government Area of the state, allegedly claimed two lives.

Jackrich (popularly known as Egberipapa) was a former militant leader who embraced amnesty during the tenure of late President, Umar Musa Yar’Adua.

A source from the area, who pleaded  for anonymity, claimed that one Diamond Tamunoiminabo and Sincere Jackrich, loyalists of the guber candidate were killed during the abduction by the gunmen suspected to be military men.

The media aide to the Jackrich, Soibibo Sokari, who spoke on the incident, confirmed the abduction and killing of the two persons.

Sokari said: “Yes it is true he was arrested this morning. Two persons were killed and their bodies carted away along with him. We are still following up the incident to get more details.

“We don’t know exactly who is behind it. But as the details unfold we will let the public know about it.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the incident and noted that two persons were killed.

Confirming the incident, spokesperson of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko denied that it was a case of kidnap, but stated that Jackrich was arrested by yet to be unravel security agency. 

Iringe-Koko stated: “It is not a kidnap. He is with some security personnel. That is all I can say for now. Two persons were fatally wounded.”

As at the time of filing this report, neither the 6 Division, Nigerian Army nor any other security agency  admitted to have embarked on the operation, or given any reason for the gubernatorial candidate’s abduction.