Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force, working alongside other security agencies, have dismantled criminal camps used for kidnapping and related crimes in parts of Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The coordinated operation took place in Ipo and Igwuruta-Ali communities, where security forces stormed suspected hideouts and successfully destroyed the camps. During the raid, one suspect was arrested, while several others fled upon sighting the operatives.
Security personnel recovered a cache of weapons and equipment, including a pump-action gun, an AK-47 rifle, 274 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, four cartridges, communication radios, and locally made protective gear believed to be used by the criminals.
The spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Blessing Agabe, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out on April 12, 2026, following directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intensify efforts against criminal activities across the country. The police worked in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the recovered pump-action gun is suspected to belong to a leader of a local vigilante group, who was reportedly abducted by bandits while attempting to confront them in the area.
The police confirmed that the camps were completely destroyed, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and rescue the kidnapped victim.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property. He also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to aid security operations.