Joint security operatives in Rivers State have raided criminal hideouts in Igwuruta-Ali, Ikwerre Local Government Area, arresting one suspect and recovering 274 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt. She said the coordinated operation was carried out by the command’s tactical teams in collaboration with other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

According to her, one suspect was arrested at the scene and is currently under investigation, while others fled before the arrival of operatives. She added that preliminary findings indicate that a recovered pump-action gun is suspected to belong to the leader of a local vigilante group, OSPAC, who was reportedly abducted. Agabe said investigations were ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend fleeing suspects.

“During the operation, the joint team identified criminal hideouts at IPO and Igwuruta-Ali camps. Recovered items include one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, 274 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, four cartridges, native bulletproof materials, a large iron cutter and communication radios. “The camps were destroyed.

However, one suspect was arrested while others fled,” she said. She added that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.