From Victor Edozie, in Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Command said it has arrested the suspect responsible for the murder of one Shedrack Ogadinma Chukwem , an indigene of Umuemeshie Community, Chokota, in Igbo-Etche, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Command in a Press Statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday by CSP Grace Irengi Koko said following sustained and unrelenting investigative efforts by operatives of the Command, attached to Anti-Cultism Unit , Emuohia Annex , one Robinson Uche a native of Umuechem in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, was tracked and arrested at about 7:30 a.m. on 6th March 2026.
Koko said during interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to actively participating in the killing of the deceased.
Koko said the incident occurred on 17th December 2025 when the suspect and four others persons whose names could not be ascertained were allegedly hired by one Chief Elijah Okere to bring the deceased to his palace.
“The suspect further stated that upon arriving at the location where the deceased was attending a family meeting, their attempt to arrest him became unsuccessful. He alleged that in the course of the encounter, the group shot the deceased, resulting to his death.
“According to the suspect, the group subsequently transported the body to a bush located at Ekerre-Ugbor, where it was hurriedly buried in a shallow grave.
“Following the confession, the suspect led Police operatives to the location where the body was buried. The remains of the deceased were successfully recovered from the shallow grave and later deposited at the Military Hospital Mortuary for autopsy,” Koko stated.
She said efforts have been intensified by the Police to apprehend the other suspects who are currently at large.
She stated that the Commissioner of Police , Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju assures members of the public that it remains committed to ensuring justice in the matter and will continue to pursue all individuals connected with the crime.