By Amanda Chinyere, Portharcourt
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four suspects and recovered two stolen rifles linked to the November 12, 2025 attack on police personnel at Tonninno Filling Station along Elioparanwo Road in Port Harcourt.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Command said the arrests followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, who ordered the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) to take over the case and ensure the perpetrators were apprehended without delay.
Acting on intelligence and technical support, AKU operatives arrested the suspects identified as:
Ansalam Paul, 45, from Mbaise LGA, Imo State;
Supurchi Ejiofor (alias Emejaka), 48, from Bende LGA, Abia State;
Bright Nwabueze (alias Bishop), 58, from Umuahia South LGA, Abia State; and
Utibe Sunday, 24, from Ika LGA, Akwa Ibom State.
The police also named Ebuka Reuben, 32, from Ebonyi State, as the alleged mastermind and leader of the gang responsible for the attack.
According to the statement, the suspects “voluntarily confessed” during preliminary interrogation and were linked to several other criminal operations across the state. Two rifles stolen from the attacked officers were recovered as exhibits.
The Command added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend additional gang members and retrieve more operational weapons.
CP Adepoju commended the swift and professional conduct of the AKU operatives, stressing that the police remain committed to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring all offenders face justice.
The suspects and the recovered rifles are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
