A joint security operation involving the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies has led to the destruction of criminal camps used for kidnapping and related crimes in Ipo and Igwuruta-Ali, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The operation also resulted in the arrest of one suspect and the recovery of arms and ammunition, including an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, and communication devices, while several other suspects fled the scene.
Spokesperson for the state police command, Blessing Agabe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
According to Agabe, the recovered pump-action gun is believed to belong to the leader of a local vigilante group, OSPAC, who was reportedly abducted by bandits during a confrontation last week.
She explained that the operation was carried out in compliance with directives from the Inspector-General of Police and involved collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“On April 12, 2026, at about 1300 hours, tactical teams of the Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies, embarked on a coordinated operation to clear identified criminal camps suspected to be used as hideouts for kidnapping and other criminal activities,” the statement said.
During the raid, security operatives uncovered camps at Ipo and Igwuruta-Ali and recovered 274 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, four cartridges, locally made bulletproof materials, a large iron cutter, and communication radios, among other items.
“The criminal camps were successfully destroyed, and one suspect was arrested within the vicinity and is currently under investigation, while other suspects fled the scene before the arrival of security operatives,” the statement added.
Police said investigations are ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects and rescue the abducted vigilante leader.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Adepoju, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
Adepoju urged members of the public to support security agencies with credible and timely information to aid the arrest of criminal elements and enhance safety across the state.
