The Rivers State Police Command has recovered the remains of Sampson Worianime, who was reported missing on Nov. 11, and arrested two suspects in connection with his death.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, saying the arrests followed intelligence-led investigations by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
According to her, Worianime was declared missing after he accompanied a community youth leader from Ogbogbo Community in Okrika Local Government Area to inspect and measure a piece of land.
She said police commenced investigations immediately the matter was reported, leading to the arrest of two suspects, one of whom is the Chief Security Officer of Aleto-Eleme Community.
Iringe-Koko explained that the suspects confessed to abducting two youths from Okrika Local Government Area. One of the victims reportedly escaped, while Worianime was killed.
She added that the suspects later led police operatives to a shallow grave where Worianime’s remains were recovered.
“The suspects are currently in custody and cooperating with investigations, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other accomplices,” she said.
In a separate development, the Rivers State Police Command also announced the arrest of 12 suspects over a violent attack on Unity Estate along Mbodo-Aluu Road in Port Harcourt.
Iringe-Koko said the suspects, alleged to be members of a vigilante group and hired thugs, invaded the estate on Jan. 5, armed with pump-action guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.
She said the attackers fired shots indiscriminately, causing panic among residents and damaging several vehicles within the estate.
During the attack, one resident, identified as Stephen Nmacha, sustained a gunshot injury that shattered his leg and was abducted by the assailants before being rescued by police operatives. He is currently receiving medical treatment.
She added that several other residents sustained injuries while fleeing into nearby bushes to escape the violence.
Items recovered from the suspects include one automatic pump-action gun, live and spent cartridges, charms, five motorcycles, two minibuses and a Sienna vehicle.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Adepoju, described the attacks as reckless and unacceptable.
He stressed that vigilante groups were required by law to operate under police supervision and questioned the failure of the group involved to coordinate with security agencies.
Adepoju said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects linked to the attack, including the Akpor Commander of the vigilante group, who is currently on the run.
He urged members of the public to provide useful information that could assist the police in apprehending those still at large.