Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Navy, NNS Pathfinder on Thursday handed over 97 suspected criminals to the prosecuting agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force as well as the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The suspects, according to the Navy, were arrested yesterday by its operatives for different crimes bordering on vandalism, illicit drugs, as well as incessant criminal attacks on Rumuolumeni community and on Naval personnel.
Speaking, the Executive Officer, NNS Pathfinder, Navy Captain Stanley Umeh, said a covert operation was carried out on 7th November 2022 to dislodge some miscreants around the Naval base, following the heightened level of insecurity around the Rumuolumeni community.
Umeh disclosed that some Naval personnel in recent times have been attacked the hoodlums.
He added that items recorded from the suspected criminals during the raid include knives of different shapes and sizes, daggers, charms, money, packs of illegal drugs, lighters, were discovered in one of the three areas raided.
“A total of 124 persons were arrested, by this morning we effectivly profiled them and in course of the arrest some tricycle operators were arrested this morning they have been released, other ladies who were found within the vicinity of the shanties this morning they were released as well.
“Three shanties were raided simultaneously, the illicit items was gotten from one shanty but in order to stop this illicit behaviour and drug peddling within Rumuolumeni community, we have orders to dislodge all of them from the other two shanties that operation will take place after this.
“In recent times, residents of Rumuolumeni community and NNS personnel have been attacked by these hoodlums. Most recently on the 3rd of December, two of our ratings went out of the Base to buy Suya at about past 9 p.m and they were attacked by these hoodlums, and they came with bodily injuries.
“There is zero tolerance for every form of misdemeanor in Rivers State. The operation will be sustained, and we will not lower our efforts in ensuring that we read the environment of all criminals in Rivers State. I will advise all miscreants to leave their hide outs are better still they should turn a new leave and become useful elements of the society.”
The Divisional Police Officer of Rumuoluemini, CSP Sunday Okuguni, received the suspects for further investigation and prosecution on behalf of the Nigerian Police Force.
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