The Rivers State Police Command on Friday said it foiled an armed robbery at Prisigbara/Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Road in the Khana Local Government Area of the state, killing three suspects in the process.

The spokesperson of the state command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday, said the incident occurred on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, explained that policemen from the Bori division and the anti-cultism unit in Bori, both in Khana, responded immediately to a distress call on the robbery.

She further said on arrival at the scene, the robbers opened fire on the policemen resulting in a shootout but were subdued and fatally wounded.

She said one of those killed was a notorious armed robber nicknamed ‘Oyoyo’ aged 25 who had been involved in a series of cult activities and armed robbery incidents in the Ogoni axis of the state.

The statement read in part, “Tragically, during the exchange, three of the suspects sustained injuries and were immediately rushed to the police clinic in Bori. Regrettably, their injuries proved fatal, and they were pronounced dead on arrival.

“The deceased has been identified as Monday Sulole, a notorious armed robber and cultist, also known as “Oyoyo.” Sulole, aged 25 and hailing from Yeghe in the Gokana Local Government Area, was responsible for numerous cult clashes and armed robberies in the Ogoni axis of Rivers State.

“As a result of the operation, the police recovered several items from the robbers, including one locally made revolver pistol, with three live ammunition, one locally-made shotgun with three cartridges, a machete, and several charms.

“We assure the community that the area has returned to normalcy, and we have implemented increased police patrols in and around the vicinity to ensure the safety of residents.”

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