Just In : vigilante commander, three others arrested for armed robbery
The Rivers State Police Command said its men arrested a vigilante leader identified as Ododo Kingsley, with three of his accomplices for allegedly being involved in armed robbery and vandalism.
The police said Kingsley, also known as Obubochi, is the vigilante commander in Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
While noting that the three accomplices are also executive members of the local vigilante, she said all four men were caught in the act on March 26, 2024 and apprehended.
The statement reads, “The vigilante group’s executive members, namely Mark Prince, Destiny Onuigbo, and Azubuike Orlu, utilised their positions to access the group’s armoury, which they subsequently used in perpetrating criminal acts.
“The sequence of events leading to their arrest unfolded when a scrap dealer, known as Prince, approached Ododo (Obubochi), during a vigilante group member’s burial.
“Prince, presenting himself as a businessman from Omagwa, proposed a joint venture involving the dismantling and sale of a mast belonging to Globacom, located on a secluded road in Elele.”
She stated that following negotiations, Ododo agreed to provide firepower and monitoring during the operation, with Prince’s team responsible for the mast’s disassembly, noting that a fee of N500,000 was set for Ododo’s participation.
“The operation commenced as planned, with Ododo and his accomplices providing cover and supervision.
“However, their criminal activities were disrupted when they were intercepted by a police patrol unit during the operation. A confrontation ensued, resulting in their arrest, while two of the vandals escaped, four were arrested,” she stated.
Iringe-Koko listed the items recovered from the arrested suspects as three automatic pump-action guns, one live cartridge, one plier, one machete, and two Qlink motorcycles without registration numbers.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said in response to this development, the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, expressed dismay over the vigilante members’ involvement in criminal enterprises.
She added, ‘He (CP Disu) reiterated the command’s commitment to apprehending all individuals involved in criminal activities, regardless of their affiliations or positions within the law enforcement structures.
“The ongoing investigation aims to apprehend the remaining fugitive suspects involved in this criminal network.
“The Rivers State Police Command urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.”
