Eric Olusesan/Port Harcourt
Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested Five suspected deadly Carjackers who shot dead three of their victims at D/Line and Diobu axis of Port Harcourt on the night of Tuesday October 10.
The Command broke the news through a WhatsApp message posted today, Saturday, October 14, by its Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko.
However, SP Iringe-Koko, did not unveil the identities of the suspects and neither did she give details and circumstances of the arrest.
In her terse statement, she said: “This is to reaffirm that Rivers State is peaceful, and some of the hoodlums who committed the heinous crime,especially in the D/Line and Diobu axis—five of them—were arrested on 12/10/23 while investigations is ongoing.
“CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, psc, LLB, Ph.D., assures that the police will continue to ensure adequate security for the state while respecting the fundamental human rights of the residents”, Iringe-Koko said
Our Correspondent had reported two separate carjackings that left their victims dead on Tuesday night in Port Harcourt.
The incidents threw panic among Port Harcourt residents who became worried over the upsurge in deadly carjackings that are not sparing the lives of their victims in separate incidents were recorded at night on Tuesday October 10 at different locations.
One Roland Asuru, a Port Harcourt based business man billed to the celebrate his 53rd birthday on October 20 was shot dead at on Tuesday October 10, when he attacted along Wopara Street, Off old Aba road in Rumuibekwe axis of Port Harcourt by suspected armed carjackers.
Reports have it that he was shot after a mild struggle with suspected carjackers before they made away with his car leaving in the his pool of blood.
Several sounds of gunshots aroused concerned residents and neighbours who arrived at the scene and rushed the bleeding Asuru to the Military hospital Port Harcourt where he was confirmed dead.
His body was later deposited at the mortuary. It is not clear if it was a case of assassination or mere carjacking gone tragic.
Asuru is said to hail from Ogbakiri, in Emohua local government area of Rivers State.
His friends, brothers and well-wishers of Asuru sent their condolences through the social media platforms.Among them include: Godstime Orlukwu,a former a Caretaker Committee of Emohua LGA and Achor Omodu, a Lawyer. Both are chieftains of Rivers All Progressives Congress, APC.
Omodu said”
Too hard to believe that you died in the hands of car snatchers within Rumuibekwe axis of Port Harcourt.
On his part, Okwu Francis Bogbula said “Too hard to believe that you died in the hands of car snatchers within Rumuibekwe axis of Port Harcourt”.
Also, elsewhere at Nanka Street, Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt and on the same night, an Auto-mechanic,one John Okon, was also shot dead. His female companion in car scampered for safety.
She later told the Police the those who attacked them robbed her and attempted to rob the late John Okon of his car and while struggling the car key with the hoodlums she heard gunshots while scampering for safety.
Commenting on the incident, Amatari Bipilade, the Chairman of Diobu Vigilante group who narrated that the victim’s identity is John Okon from Akwa-Ibom state.
Bipilade said John Okon was killed inside his Golf Three red Wagon car in Abakiliki by Nanka Street Mile One Diobu Port Harcourt.
He said the deceased Auto-Mechanic had his workshop at Ojike by Iliabuchi, Diobu, Port Harcourt, but resides at Iwofe, a suburb of Port Harcourt.
“He was with a lady inside his car when he was shot. At spot he was shot has been a regular spot where he parks with such a lady who was with him. But left the car after the shooting incident”, Bipilade said.
In another development,One Kalada Briggs, was also shot by a gang of suspected car snatchers who operated within D/Line axis of Port Harcourt.
It was learnt that Briggs’ car was also snatched by his attackers, while the victim who survived the shooting is still in an undisclosed health facility in the state.
His case and others probably not reported instantly gave rise to social media security alert like:
*SERIOUS SECURITY ALERT*!!!
“By all means avoid driving around any part of D/LINE once it’s 7pm, there is a new car theft gang that specializes in killing and making away with their victims cars, last week my friend Kalada Briggs was shot, thank God he survived it, but he is still in the hospital, just this evening another was rushed to the military hospital after being shot by the same gang, but unfortunately, he died before they got to the hospital”.
Our Correspondent reports that there was another post: “Please, take this information very seriously.
“Please spread this information on all media. The situation is very serious in the D/line, GRA, Ada George Road, Rumuokwuta, Garrison, Ogbunabali, Rumuola, Rumuomasi, NTA, and other areas in Port Harcourt. I was a victim who narrowly escaped death by hair’s breath and God’s intervention. The Government and all Security agencies must be called upon at this critical point to save the lives and properties of innocent and defenseless citizens to be protected. Don’t say it doesn’t concern you as nobody knows who is next. It’s happening on daily and weekly basis. It’s very worrisome as both private car owners and public transport users are not spared.
“The criminals have devised means of demobilizing cars installed with trackers or kill their victims where they don’t succeed in moving away with the cars of their victims.
“Please let’s share this information to sensitise the populace until the government and security agencies wake up to their responsibilities. Security is the business of everyone. Let’s protect ourselves and our loved ones”.
However, it would be noted that the State Command led by CP Emeka organized a stretch of activities marking “Zero Crime Week”, which included, medical outreaches, games, talkshows and sensitization of the members of the public on security awareness and the need for synergy with the Police to combat crime.
