The Rivers State Police Command stated that its personnel apprehended two criminal masterminds in a crackdown on a hideout located in Elelenwo, within the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

The police said one of the arrested miscreants identified as Azubuike Orji, 27, a native of Arochukwu in Abia State was recently released from the correctional centre.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintended of Police, said their arrest followed a complaint from a victim of the area who was robbed recently.

The statement reads, “On December 1, 2023, the Rivers State Police Command received a formal complaint from a victim who had been robbed of his valuables at the Odani Junction in Elelenwo by a group of armed men. It was one in a series of complaints of armed robberies that the command received in the same period.

‘He confessed to working for the leader of the armed robbery syndicate, Anthony Augustine, revealing that his specialty in the gang was peddling drugs and servicing guns.”

She said the police said tracked a reported stolen device to an auxiliary nurse who turned out to be the wife of the armed robbery gang leader. Further interrogations led to the discovery of a seven-room brothel located in Odani, Elelenwo, that served as a hideout for members of the syndicate.

According to her, “On December 10, 2023, the gang leader, Anthony Augustine, 22, was arrested at Green City Estate in Odani, Elelenwo, amidst widespread jubilation from residents as he and his gang had been a terror to the community. Items recovered from the suspect include an iPhone XX, suspected packs of marijuana, PoS machines, and locally-made pistols.

“The leader confessed to running the brothel as a cover for his underworld activities. Further investigation revealed that he was wanted for murder and robbery and had recently been released from a correctional centre.”

While noting that investigation is ongoing as the police seek to arrest other members of the syndicate, she said the Commissioner of Police,  Tunji Disu, commended men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for the feat.

She said CP Disu called on members of the public to assist the police in crime fighting by promptly reporting crime as it happens to enable the security outfit apprehend the suspects and nip such crime in the bud.

He also warned the public against buying used items, especially phones, regardless of how cheap they are, citing that such purchases could lead to more significant problems.

He also warned against the get rich quick craze by young people and urged them to desist from it in order not to jeopardise their future, as the police would leave no stone unturned to rid the state of criminal elements.