The Rivers State Police Command said its officers have arrested three suspects linked to the gruesome murder of a 55-year-old bus driver identified as Christopher Akpabio in Asarama community in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.
The police said the suspects arrest followed a report it received about the driver’s disappearance, prompting an intelligence-driven investigation by the Command’s ‘Violent Crime Response Unit.
Spokesperson for the state Police Command, Blessing Agabe, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday evening and sent to newsmen.
Agabe, as Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the suspects hired the driver from Garrison, a popular junction in Port Harcourt, for him to take them to the Rivers community for a traditional marriage, unknown to him that they had a sinister motive.
According to the statement, while on their way to Asarama community, the miscreants accosted the driver, killed him, buried his remains in a shallow grave in the area and carted away his mini-bus.
The statement reads, “Following the proactive crime-fighting strategies of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, aimed at combating violent crimes and strengthening public safety across the State, in line with the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the Command has recorded a major breakthrough in the investigation of a case involving alleged murder and robbery, leading to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of a stolen vehicle.
“The incident was reported on 22nd May 2026 following the disappearance of one Mr. Christopher Emmanuel Akpabio, male, 55 years, a native of Akwa Ibom State.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased was hired at Garrison Park, Port Harcourt, by the suspects under the guise of transporting them to Asarama Community in Andoni Local Government Area for a traditional marriage ceremony, unknown to him that they had a sinister mission to murder him and dispossess him of his vehicle, a black Daihatsu Hijet minibus with registration number BGM 328 DA.”
It added, “Further investigation later led to the shocking discovery of the victim’s remains buried in a shallow grave at Asarama community in Andoni Local Government Area in Rivers state.”
The state police image maker gave the names of the arrested suspects as ”David Mark, male, aged 30 and a native of Andoni LGA. Nkajit Williams, male, aged 45, also from Andoni LGA and Godgift John, male (33), a native of Okrika LGA”, all in Rivers State.
She said acting on the operational directives of the Commissioner of Police, “Operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in Diobu immediately launched a painstaking intelligence-driven investigation which culminated in the arrest of the three suspects on 28th May 2026.
“During the operation, the stolen black Daihatsu Hijet minibus with registration number BGM 328 DA was successfully recovered, while the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital mortuary for preservation and further examination.
“Investigation is still ongoing, and concerted efforts have been intensified to apprehend the fourth suspect who is currently at large.”
The state police command advised members of the public to exercise caution and be vigilant when entering transportation or business arrangements with unfamiliar persons, especially for long-distance or late-night trips.
“Commercial drivers are strongly advised to always inform family members, colleagues, or trusted associates before embarking on such journeys. Residents are also encouraged to promptly report suspicious persons, movements, or activities to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s emergency lines for prompt action,” the statement added.
The Command, however, reassures the people and residents of the state of its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven anywhere within the oil-rich state.
Recall that in May, the Imo State Police Command arrested three students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, in connection with the alleged murder of a 21-year-old undergraduate, Chinedu Christogonus.
The deceased, a 100-level student of Cyber Security, was reportedly beaten to death by members of the university’s Man O’ War organisation for allegedly stealing N13,500.
