Police Arrest Rivers Vigilante Leader, 3 Others For Vandalism

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, have arrested a local vigilante commander, Ododo Kingsley Obubochi and three other executives of the vigilante group, for vandalizing a mast belonging to a telecommunication company at Elele town in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State.

Obubochi and his three accomplices, Mark Prince, Destiny Onuigbo, and Azubuike Orlu, who belong to a local vigilante group in Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre LGA, used their positions to access the group’s armoury, which they subsequently used in perpetrating criminal acts.

The police public relations officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the vigilante commander and his three executives were offered the sum of N500,000.00 to provide cover and supervision for those dismantling the telecommunication mast.

Iringe-Koko said luck, however ran out on them when they were confronted by policemen who were on patrol on the secluded road, where the mast was located, leading to arguments.

The statement reads in part: “The Rivers State Police Command has achieved notable success in its fight against criminal activities within the state with the arrest of four individuals involved in vandalism and armed robbery.

“Among those apprehended is the local vigilante commander in Isiokpo, Ododo Kingsley Obubochi, along with three other executive members of the local vigilante group.

“On March 26, 2024, the vigilante group’s executives, namely Mark Prince, Destiny Onuigbo, and Azubuike Orlu, utilized 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 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.

“Following negotiations, Ododo agreed to provide firepower and monitoring during the operation, with Prince’s team responsible for the mast’s disassembly. A fee of NGN500,000.00 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.

“The items recovered from the arrested individuals include three automatic pump-action guns, one live cartridge, one plier, one machete, and two Qlink motorcycles without registration numbers.”

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police, Olatunji Disu, has expressed concern over the involvement of vigilante members in criminal enterprises.

Disu reiterated the command’s commitment to apprehending all individuals involved in criminal activities, regardless of their affiliations or positions within law enforcement structures.