By Philip Ezuma, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a vigilante leader and three others over armed robbery and vandalism of Globacom mast in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area LGA, KELGA.
The arrest of the suspects was a response to the Commissioner of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu’s determination to reduce in the state, to the barest level peace and stability of the State to book.
Among those apprehended is the local vigilante commander in Isiokpo, Ododo Kingsley Obubochi, ‘m’, along with three other executive members of the local vigilante group.
According to press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO Superintendent of Police SP Grace Iringe-Koko, on 26th March 2024, the vigilante group’s executives, namely Mark Prince, Destiny Onuigbo, and Azubuike Orlu, utilized their positions to access the group’s armoury, which they subsequently used in perpetrating criminal acts.
“The sequence of events leading to their arrest unfolded when a scrap dealer, known as Prince, approached Ododo during a vigilante group member’s burial. Prince, presenting himself as a businessman from Omagwa, proposed a joint venture involving the dismantling and sale of a mast belonging to Globacom, located on a secluded road in Elele.
Following negotiations, Ododo agreed to provide firepower and monitoring during the operation, with Prince’s team responsible for the mast’s disassembly. A fee of N500, 000 was set for Ododo’s participation.
The operation commenced as planned, with Ododo and his accomplices providing cover and supervision.
However, their criminal activities were disrupted, when they were intercepted by a police patrol unit during the operation. A confrontation ensued, resulting in their arrest, while two of the vandals escaped, four were arrested.
The police statement further narrated that, items recovered from the arrested individuals include three automatic pump-action guns, one live cartridge, one plier, one machete, and two Qlink motorcycles without registration numbers.
