The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with the alleged murder of a 42-year-old resident, Shedrack Ogadinma Chukwem, in Etche Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect, identified as Robinson Uche, was apprehended following what police described as sustained investigative efforts by operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit, Emuohia Annex.
Spokesperson for the Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that Uche was tracked and arrested at about 7:30 a.m. on March 6, 2026. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to actively participating in the killing.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on December 17, 2025, when Uche and four others—identified as Prince (also known as “Onyia-Army”), Achor, Gift Okere (alias “Nnaye”), and another unnamed individual—were allegedly hired by a monarch, Chief Elijah Okere, to bring the deceased to his palace.
Police said the group located Chukwem at a family meeting in Umuemeshie Community, Chokota, Igbo-Etche. However, attempts to apprehend him reportedly met stiff resistance, prompting the suspects to open fire. Chukwem was shot and later died from his injuries.
The suspect further confessed that the group transported the body to a bush at Ekerre-Ugbor, where it was buried in a shallow grave.
Iringe-Koko said following the confession, Uche led operatives to the burial site, where the remains were exhumed and deposited at the Military Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.
Efforts are ongoing to arrest the other suspects, who remain at large.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, assured residents that the Command is committed to ensuring justice and will pursue all individuals linked to the crime.
When asked whether the monarch allegedly involved had been arrested, the police spokesperson said, “Not yet, but efforts are on to arrest him.”
The Command added that further updates would be provided as investigations continue.
