The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three suspects allegedly involved in the killing of two police officers during a violent attack on a stop-and-search team in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

The officers were attacked on June 29, 2026, when armed assailants reportedly launched a commando-style assault, opened fire on the patrol team and fled with the officers’ AK-47 rifles.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe, one of the officers suffered severe gunshot injuries that led to the amputation of one of his legs before he later died in hospital. The attack claimed the lives of two officers.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Agabe said the arrests followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, ordering an intensive investigation and the deployment of operational and intelligence assets to apprehend those responsible.

She said operatives of the Command’s Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) tracked the suspects to their hideout through credible intelligence and sustained tactical operations.

The arrested suspects were identified as:

Maduabuchi Emeka, alias “Doctor”, 34, from Egbata Community, Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

Chinedu Owhor, 42, a native of Akabuka in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, resident in Aluu.

Kamachi Joe, 28, also from Egbata Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.

Police said operatives recovered three AK-47 rifles and one Scorpion rifle during the operation.

According to the command, one of the suspects has also linked members of the gang to other murder cases currently under investigation.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to arrest a fourth suspect, who remains at large.

Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju commended the officers involved in the operation, describing the arrests as evidence of the Command’s determination to ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice.

He reaffirmed the Rivers State Police Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and warned that the state would not serve as a safe haven for criminals.

Adepoju also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible and timely information to assist ongoing crime-fighting efforts.

The latest breakthrough comes amid continued efforts by security agencies to tackle violent crime and improve public safety across Rivers State.

At least four people have been killed and several others injured after suspected armed herdsmen launched a midnight attack on Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack occurred on Monday night in the community, which is the hometown of former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.

According to residents, the assailants stormed the village at about midnight while many people were asleep, catching the community off guard.

Witnesses said the attackers moved from house to house, forcing open doors before attacking residents inside their homes.

A community source said the attack was unprovoked.

“They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses,” the source said.

The source disclosed that three people were initially confirmed dead, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the assault.

The injured victims were rushed to the General Hospital, Gbajimba, for treatment. However, one of the injured later succumbed to injuries, raising the death toll to four.

The latest attack triggered panic in the community, forcing many residents to flee their homes for safety amid fears of further violence.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement confirming the incident or providing details of any arrests. Similarly, state authorities had yet to comment publicly on the attack.

Guma Local Government Area has witnessed repeated attacks in recent years, with several communities affected by violent clashes and armed assaults that have resulted in loss of lives, displacement of residents, and destruction of property.

The latest incident is expected to renew calls for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable rural communities and curb the persistent violence affecting parts of Benue State.

A Catholic priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Rev. Fr. John Chinenye Oluoma, popularly known as Fada Oluoma, has criticised presidential media aides Daniel Bwala and Bayo Onanuga, accusing them of responding to criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration with personal attacks rather than reasoned engagement.

The cleric made the remarks while commenting on public discourse surrounding the current administration, arguing that government spokespersons should address issues raised by critics through facts and constructive dialogue instead of attacking individuals.

According to Fada Oluoma, public officials serving as presidential spokespersons have a responsibility to engage Nigerians with civility and evidence, particularly on matters affecting governance and national development.

He alleged that the communication style adopted by some government media aides has contributed to the increasingly hostile tone of political conversations in the country.

“Onanuga and Bwala are behaving like attack dogs,” the priest said, urging presidential aides to focus on responding to criticisms with logical arguments rather than personal remarks.

His comments come amid sustained public debate over the Tinubu administration’s handling of the economy, insecurity, and governance, with opposition figures, civil society organisations, and religious leaders expressing divergent opinions on government policies.

Both Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, and Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, have frequently defended the administration’s policies and responded publicly to criticism from opposition politicians, activists, and other public commentators.

The Presidency has consistently maintained that its media team is committed to explaining government policies, correcting misinformation, and communicating the administration’s achievements to Nigerians.

Political observers note that exchanges between government spokespersons and critics have become increasingly prominent as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.