No fewer than three armed robbers were neutralised as operatives of the Rivers State Police Command foiled an armed robbery operation at Prisigbara/Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Road in Khana Local Government Area of the state.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the state command’s spokesperson, said in a statement issued on Friday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, that the event happened on Thursday.
According to Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, operatives from the Bori Division and the Bori Anti-Cultism Unit, both from Khana LG, reacted to a distress call regarding the robbery operation.
She added that when the operatives arrived at the scene, the robbers opened fire on them, resulting in a shootout, but the criminals were apprehended and fatally wounded, with one of those killed being a notorious armed robber nicknamed ‘Oyoyo’, aged 25, who had been involved in cult activities and armed robbery in the state’s Ogoni axis.
The statement read, “Rivers State Police Command thwarted a robbery operation in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State on March 21, 2024, and responded swiftly to a distress call reporting a robbery operation on Prisigbara/Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Road in Khana Local Government Area.
“In a coordinated effort, officers from the Police Division, Bori, and the Anti-Cultism Unit, Bori, were dispatched to the scene.
“Upon the arrival of the police personnel, the robbers engaged them in gunfire. However, due to the superior firepower of the police, the assailants were subdued, and the robbery operation was successfully thwarted.
“Tragically, during the exchange, three of the suspects sustained injuries and were immediately rushed to the police clinic in Bori. Regrettably, their injuries proved fatal, and they were pronounced dead on arrival.”
It further read that “the deceased has been identified as Monday Sulole, a notorious armed robber and cultist, also known as “Oyoyo.” Sulole, aged 25 and hailing from Yeghe in Gokana Local Government Area, was responsible for numerous cult clashes and armed robberies in the Ogoni axis of Rivers State.
“As a result of the operation, the police recovered several items from the robbers, including one locally made revolver pistol with three live rounds of ammunition, one locally made shotgun with three cartridges, a machete, and several charms.
“We assure the community that the area has returned to normalcy, and we have implemented increased police patrols in and around the vicinity to ensure the safety of residents.
“The Rivers State Police Command acknowledges the concerns raised by the community regarding the harassment and robbery of students, particularly in the densely populated area.
“This successful operation is expected to bring much-needed relief to the community. We urge residents to continue cooperating with the police, as your support is instrumental in our ongoing efforts to maintain peace and security.”
