By: Felix Ikpotor
A joint security operation comprising of the police, armed forces and other security agencies in Rivers State has thwarted operations of suspected vandals along the Aluu-Rumuekini axis of the state.
This is even as the joint security team also announced the arrest of suspected kidnappers and rescue of victims in Ahoada axis of the state.
Speaking onbehalf of the Joint Security Team at a media conference in Port Harcourt, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, said the success recorded by the joint security is aimed at supporting the state’s emergency rule.
He emphasize that the current phase of joint security activities is a necessary measure aimed at preventing any potential breakdown of law and order, adding that the decision to deploy a proactive policing strategy was informed by an emerging atmosphere that could have been exploited by troublemakers to plunge the state into insecurity and chaos.
Adepoju said: “Over the past week, the joint efforts of the security agencies in Rivers State have amongst other successes thwarted attempts by miscreants to vandalize pipeline which led to the death of the vandals in the process of trying to detonate a pipeline as a result of the quick response of the state security agencies at Aluu- Rumuekini in Ikwerre LGA on 16 March 2025.
“In other case of anti-criminal activities in the state, the men of the security forces stormed the hideout of kidnappers along Omoku Road in Ahaoda East LGA on the 21 March 25 at about 0710 hours where 8 male suspects were arrested, and six 6 male victims rescued”.
He said items recovered during the arrest include 2 english made pump action guns, 2 locally made pistols, 4 locally made single barrel guns with assorted rounds and cartridges, 3 Q-link motorcycles, communication equipment amongst other items.
Also, CP Adepoju said another case of criminality was voided in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni LGA on 19 March 2025, where 2 suspects were arrested with 4 dynamites, 4 switches and detonating pods and other IED enablers.
He said the joint security team also destroyed 30 illegal refining sites, 55 ovens, 20 reservoirs, 50 dug out pits, 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil and about 10,000 litres of illegally refined AGO which were handled in line with extant regulations.
The Commissioner of Police also disclosed that the joint security team have increased deployment of security operatives to disrupt the movement of criminal elements and illicit materials who, in most cases, are known to move in unregistered vehicles.
Additionally, he said a State Operations Room has been established to provide real-time surveillance and facilitate rapid response to security threats within the state,stressing that as a result, effective in seven (7) days, a targeted enforcement operation will commence to impound all vehicles operating without registered number plates, as well as those displaying improperly affixed or altered plate numbers, saying such violations, facilitate criminal activities.
CP Adepoju urged vehicle owners in non-compliance to utilize the grace period to ensure full compliance with vehicle registration requirements.
He assured that the police and other security agencies will work with stakeholders to ensure a peaceful Rivers State.
