DPO’s Murder: Rivers Police Arrest 6 Suspects

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested six persons suspected to be connected to the gruesome murder of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in-charge of Ahoada Police Division in Ahoada-East local government area of the state, Bako Angbashim.

This is as the Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Emeka, has assigned Zuokumor Richard, a Superintendent of Police, as new DPO to Ahoada Police Division.

The arrest followed an operation conducted by a team led by the Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Emeka, along with his management team and tactical units at Odumude community in Ahoada-East local government area on Saturday.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement made available to Journalists in Port Harcourt on Sunday, said the operation was aimed at recovering Angbashim’s corpse as well as conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the community.

Iringe-Koko stated that the suspects, who were arrested with locally crafted pistol and various charms, were already undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Port Harcourt.

The statement reads in part: “The Commissioner of Police for Rivers State, CP Nwonyi Emeka Polycarp, Psc LLB, ph,D, along with his management team and tactical units, conducted an operation on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at approximately 0600hrs in Odumude Community, Ahaoda East LGA, Rivers State with the objective to recover the deceased DPO’s body and conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the community.

“During this operation, six suspects were apprehended within the community. Among the items seized were a locally crafted pistol and various charms. These suspects and the confiscated items are currently under police custody and are undergoing interrogation at the State CID, Port Harcourt. As a result of these developments, the community has been evacuated by its residents.”

The Command’s spokesperson said the new DPO was accompanied by half a unit of men from Police Mobile Force (PMF) 48 and one-third unit from PMF 19 and 56 as well as other tactical teams.

She stated that the task before the new DPO was to thoroughly search the area, apprehend the culprits responsible for the late DPO’s murder as well as the the recovery of the body, and location of any operational weapons used.

The statement further added: “Furthermore, a new DPO, SP Zuokumor Richard, has been assigned to the division. He is accompanied by half a unit of men from Mopol 48, one-third unit from Mopol 19, 56, and tactical teams.

“He has been tasked with a thorough search of the area, apprehension of the culprits responsible for the DPO’s demise, recovery of the body, and location of any operational weapons used. This operation will continue while the investigation remains ongoing.”