Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have killed three suspected criminals during crossfire in the state.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Polycarp Emeka, during a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
According to Emeka, the suspects are kidnappers and killers on the police wanted list.
Going further, he stated that the operatives in one of the operations dislodged the camp of a notorious kidnapping gang in Emohua Local Government Area and fatally wounded on le Chinedu Azunda.
He said Azunda is suspected of being involved in the murder of the Protocol Officer to the former Chief of Staff to Rivers State Government, Emeka Woke.
Emeka said: “Operatives of the C4i Intelligence Unit, while acting on intelligent-led policing and a follow-up in a case of Kidnapping/Murder, arrested one suspect that ran away to Magboro Community in Owode Ibafo of Ogun State in connection with the kidnap and murder of late Justice Azunda, the Protocol Officer to the Chief of Staff to the former Governor of Rivers State from Isiodu Community in Emohua Local Government Area of the State.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to have collected a ransom of Two Million Naira (N2, 000, 000 .00) through a bank transaction from the family of the victim, before he was murdered.
“During the raid on the camp located in Isiodu/Elibrada Forest, on 20th July, 2023, members of the gang engaged the police operatives in a gun battle during which one suspect was fatally wounded while others escaped with gunshot injuries.
“The fatally wounded suspect was identified as one Chinedu Azunda M, popularly known as Omo, aged 36 years, a native of Isiodu Community in Emohua Local Government Area.”
The CP further hinted that two others were killed while carrying out robbery activities in Port Harcourt City LGA, adding that their remains have been deposited at a mortuary.
