Police, army others raid Rivers communities bushes after alleged invasion by herders

By Davies Iheamnachor

Security operatives in Rivers State have stormed the bushes in Ipo and Igwuruta-Ali Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, in search of suspected killer herders that invaded the area last weekend.

It was alleged that armed bandits had invaded some farming areas in Ipo on Friday and that the community’s local vigilante group was alerted by some farmers.

However, it was gathered that on the same Friday, the leader of the vigilante group mobilised to the bush, but the invaders, who had superior firepower over the local security team.

It was further gathered that the vigilante head did not return from the operation. Sources alleged that he was abducted by the bandits.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command said its men and operatives from other sister security agencies have visited the reported area, adding that some camps belonging to the invaders have been destroyed.

The Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, who disclosed this development in a statement in Port Harcourt, Tuesday, said the joint operation was successful.

Agabe said: “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a successful joint security operation carried out against criminal elements operating within the State.

“On 12th April, 2026, at about 1300 hours, Tactical Teams of the Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, embarked on a coordinated operation to clear identified criminal camps suspected to be used as hideout for kidnapping and other criminal activities.

“During the operation, the joint security team identified the criminal hideouts at IPO and IGWURUTA-ALI Camp. In the course of the operation, the following items were recovered: one (1) AK-47 rifle, one (1) pump-action gun, two hundred and seventy-four (274) rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, four (4) cartridges, native bulletproof materials, a large iron cutter, communication radios, and other items.”

Agabe disclosed that preliminary investigation has shown that the pump action gun recovered could belong to the allegedly missing vigilante leader, adding that one suspect has been arrested.

She said: “Preliminary findings indicate that the recovered pump-action gun is suspected to be owned by the leader of the local vigilante group called OSPAC alleged to have been previously abducted.

“The criminal camps were successfully destroyed. However, one suspect was arrested within that vicinity and is still under investigation, while other suspects fled the scene before the arrival of security operatives.”

The PPRO noted that investigations are ongoing with a view to apprehending the fleeing suspects and rescuing the kidnapped victim.