Cleansing Port Harcourt City Of Criminals

● Police smash car theft syndicate in Rivers, arrest some while the hunt for others on the run continues

By Jonas Happy

 

In what looks like a bold attempt to keep criminals away from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Police Command says it has arrested some members of a criminal syndicate that specialises in killing unsuspecting members of the public and stealing their vehicles.

The group which has become notorious operates within the Diobu and D-Line axis of the Rivers State capital.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, the State Police Command under the watch of  CP Nwonyi Emeka has arrested five suspects connected to the recent killings in Diobu and the D-line area Port Harcourt city.

The PPRO who revealed that the police is doing everything possible to keep the State safe said detectives are on the trail of the remaining members of the gang who are presently on the run.

“The arrest of the suspects who allegedly killed two people in Diobu and one in D-line is a reaffirmation that Rivers State is peaceful”, Iringe-Koko said in a statement.

She said the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Emeka, has stressed that “the police will continue to ensure adequate security” in the state.

But the statement promised that officers of the command who are determined to rid the State of crime would continue to respect the fundamental human rights of the Nigerian people as enshrined in the Constitution while carrying out its assignment.

In a related development, a married woman has been picked up in connection with the monstrous shooting of an auto mechanic whose name was given as John Okon.

The woman who disclosed she did not share any intimate relationship with the deceased said she only accepted an offer of a lift.

Okon was shot dead Tuesday by suspected assassins operating within Mile 1, which lies within a sprawling high density area in Diobu.

The late auto mechanic in his lifetime hailed from Akwa-Ibom State. The man who was shot in his vehicle reportedly resided around Rumuolumeni community.

Meanwhile, a yet to be identified person was shot and killed around the D-Line axis while his car was stolen.

The victim who was rushed to the military hospital by passersby was confirmed dead on arrival.

Also shot by a gang of car snatchers operating within the D-line axis was Kalada Briggs.

Briggs who was rushed to the hospital however, survived the gunshot injury.

The Telegraph has learnt that most Bolt drivers used to conveying commuters to their destination at night are shutting down their operation early as part of efforts to stay safe.