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The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed allegations circulating online linking the Commander of the 56 Police Mobile Force, ACP London Irikefe, to the arrest and prosecution of four suspects allegedly associated with a security outfit operated by one Gabriel Asa Abuja.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, the Command described the reports as false and clarified that ACP Irikefe neither participated in nor directed the operation.
According to the police, the operation was launched following a formal complaint by Gift Benjamin Odogbo of Rumualuu Community, who reported that her mother, Kate Odogbo, had allegedly been abducted by unknown gunmen on August 12, 2026.
The Command said the complainant later discovered that her mother was being held in a detention facility allegedly operated by Gabriel Asa Abuja, who was said to have claimed affiliation with the Nigeria Forest Guard.
Following the report, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) were deployed to the location, where they rescued the alleged victim from a cell within the facility.
Police said four suspects—Darlington Ogulo, 47; Eze Woke Solomon, 25; Wali Perfect, 24; and Augustine Charles, 25—were arrested during the operation.
The Command disclosed that a pump-action gun and a locally fabricated long gun were recovered from the premises, while the main access road leading to the facility had been barricaded with sandbags.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed allegations of unlawful possession of firearms, illegal detention, intimidation of members of the public and operating an unauthorised security outfit. The suspects were also said to have failed to provide documents validating their claimed organisation.
The police further stressed that no private individual or security outfit has the legal authority to establish or operate detention facilities or exercise powers reserved for the Nigeria Police Force.
The Command also warned against the unauthorised use of police colours, insignia, markings or other official identifiers capable of misleading members of the public into believing a facility is operated by the police.
According to the statement, the four suspects were arraigned before a court on August 21, 2026, while investigations into the matter continue.
The Rivers State Police Command urged the public to disregard attempts to link ACP Irikefe to the case, insisting that the arrests were based solely on the complaint received, evidence uncovered at the scene and the need to rescue the alleged victim.
The Command also cautioned bloggers, social media users and content creators against publishing false or defamatory information, warning that such actions could attract sanctions under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
It reaffirmed its commitment to professional policing, protection of lives and property, respect for human rights, transparency and impartial enforcement of the law.
