A notorious cultist and armed robbery suspect, identified as Innocent Chigozie, has been arrested by the Rivers State Police Command during a raid on his hideout in Elele community in Etche Local Government Area of the state.
The police added that the suspect had been terrorising farmlands in the area, adding that the gang which Chigozie led had last year engaged operatives in a gun battle but they escaped following the superior firepower of men of the command.
The police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, saying the cult leader was apprehended by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
The statement added, “The suspect, leader of a cultist gang, had been terrorising farmlands at Uzo Afor road in Okahia Community, Elele, Etche LGA. The gang’s activities have caused widespread panic and tension in the community.
“Earlier last year, this same gang had engaged police operatives in a gun duel but were chased away.
“On January 30, 2025, at about 0630hrs, operatives arrested Innocent Chigozie, m, 35 years in his hideout through coordinated intelligence. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to owning the recovered exhibits.”
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, listed the items recovered to include one automatic pump action gun and two live cartridges.
The statement continued, “The suspect and exhibits are currently in police custody. An investigation is ongoing, with efforts intensified to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover their operational weapons.”
