By Olawale Lamina
Operatives from the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a robbery gang specializing in local security guards, vandalizing Public assets including a power transformer worth N52, 000,000 and other personal effects.
This was contained in a release on Monday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Grace Iringe-Koko stating that, “On 9th. January, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a petition about the disturbing activities of unknown hoodlums attacking local security guards and vandalizing public assets.
” The report suggested that on the 3rd of January, 2025, at about 0300hrs a 1,000KVA transformer worth Fifty-Two Million Naira (₦52,000,000.00) was vandalized and stolen from NNPCL Estate in Rumuokwurushi, Port- Harcourt by unknown hoodlums after tying and robbing the local security guards on duty of their phones and money.”
The statement added that the suspect were rounded up after credible information were made available.
“Acting on this information, Operatives from the C4i Intelligence Unit through coordinated operations, resulting in the arrest of:
- Raphael Ngwuebor, ‘m’ aged 52yrs, from Umezeoka Community in Ezza LGA, Ebonyi State, an accomplice of the sponsor.
2 Christopher Nwagwu ‘m’ aged 50yrs from Aboh My Side LGA, Imo State who is the end receiver of the stolen transformer,
- Chimene Wagoha ‘m’ aged 35yrs from Ikwerre, Rivers State who accompanied the driver and lifted the stolen transformer and drove it to the sponsor’s office,
- Chikodi Ogu ‘m’ aged 38yrs from Omuma LGA, Rivers State who assisted the Hiab driver and removed the transformer from the Estate,
- Obinna Nwankwo ‘m’ aged 43yrs from Omuma LGA, Rivers State was the facilitator and mediator between the robbers and the receiver. He also negotiated the purchase price of the transformer and the sum of Ten Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#10,500,000.00) was paid into his Bank Account.
- John Aguarar ‘m’ aged 36yrs from Etche LGA, Rivers State, the sponsor of the illegal transaction. He gave out his Hiab to transport the transformer and kept same in his office before finally selling it. The stolen transformer was recovered from the suspects.”
The release revealed that during interrogation, the suspects made confession to being members of a syndicate specializing in vandalizing and stealing transformers and electrical installations in Rivers State.
The PPRO stated that suspects and exhibit are currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
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