The Rivers State Police Command says it has recovered eight explosive devices and arrested 33 suspects for offences ranging from cultism and armed robbery to kidnapping and human trafficking.

The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this during a joint security briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday, noting that the successes were recorded through sustained collaboration with the military and other security agencies.

According to Adepoju, operatives also seized over 8,000 rounds of ammunition and dismantled several criminal networks within the past seven months, particularly during the period of the State of Emergency declared in the state.

He confirmed that seven suspected cultists linked to the murder of Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Bright Owhor, in the D/Line area were among those arrested. The suspects allegedly withdrew funds from the victim’s bank account after seizing his ATM card.

Recovered items included 21 AK-47 rifles, 66 locally made guns, eight revolvers, 34 pump-action rifles, two sub-machine guns, one Lar rifle, 115 vehicles, 11 MTN SIM cards, and eight explosives, including three GXI dynamites.

Adepoju also listed suspects arrested for vandalism at an oil-spilled well in Kpean community, Khana Local Government Area, as Joseph Nsukpe (38), James Nkpogio (20), Godspower Ngbam (28), Happy Mdor (27), and Apolebabari Ibede (35).

The CP commended the synergy between the police, army, navy, air force, DSS, and NSCDC, stressing that the operations were part of a broader effort to dismantle criminal gangs ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.

“These operations reflect a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and ensure public confidence in law enforcement agencies,” Adepoju said, urging residents to provide credible intelligence to aid policing efforts.