Police Arrest 13 Suspects Over Journalist Assault, Phone Theft in Port Harcourt

|By Adejumo Adekunle

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested 13 suspects linked to alleged phone theft, harassment of residents, and the assault of a journalist in a high-risk area of Port Harcourt.

The arrests followed an attack on a journalist, Allwell Ene, who was reportedly beaten by suspected hoodlums while carrying out a solo investigative assignment in a location authorities have described as a criminal hotspot.

Police said the Commissioner of Police, Olugenga Adewole Adepoju, ordered immediate action after receiving the report, directing that the journalist be invited to provide a firsthand account as investigations commenced.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, the Divisional Police Officer of the Olu-Obasanjo Division swiftly deployed operatives to the scene, leading to the journalist’s rescue.

Following the rescue, police launched coordinated operations across the Olu-Obasanjo axis and surrounding areas, resulting in the arrest of 13 suspects believed to be involved in criminal activities in the vicinity.

The Command said the suspects are linked to offences including phone theft and harassment of residents.

Investigations are ongoing, with efforts intensified to apprehend other individuals connected to the crimes.

The police also cautioned journalists and private investigators against undertaking assignments alone in high-risk locations, urging them to collaborate with security agencies for safety.

Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the Command said it would sustain operations aimed at tackling criminal activities and protecting lives and property across the state.