The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended five additional suspects over an alleged theft at the Dr. Obi Wali Cultural Centre, a government facility in Port Harcourt.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
She said the suspects were also connected to a robbery incident at the popular Tottinno Filling Station in the city.
“The suspects were arrested in Diobu and Ikoku in November, increasing the total number of persons in custody over the case to nine,” she stated.
Iringe-Koko explained that items stolen from the public facility were sold to accomplices, who have also been arrested.
“The arrests reflect the dedication of our operatives, who relied on intelligence-driven policing to track down those involved,” she said.
She added that those apprehended include the alleged gang leader, who was arrested at the Rumuokoro flyover with two rifles recovered from his vehicle, a Point-of-Sale operator, and the suspected receiver of the stolen items.
Recovered items include a 30KVA generator, inverter batteries, and two rifles.
The suspects and recovered exhibits remain in police custody, while efforts have been intensified to track down other fleeing members of the gang and conclude investigations.