POLICE APPREHEND SUSPECT FOR MURDER, EXHUME VICTIM’S BODY IN RIVERS
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By: Muftau Fatimo
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a man connected to the murder of 42-year-old Shedrack Chukwem.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Robinson Uche, allegedly led a gang responsible for the crime.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to Iringe-Koko, the suspect and four accomplices were reportedly sent by a local monarch, Elijah Okere, to escort the deceased to his palace.
She added that stiff resistance to arrest the victims was put up, prompting the gang to open fire, leading to Chukwem’s death.
It partly reads, “The Rivers State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in the investigation of a case of conspiracy and murder involving one Shedrack Ogadinma Chukwem (Male, 42 years), an indigene of Umuemeshie Community, Chokota, in Igbo-Etche, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“Following sustained and unrelenting investigative efforts by operatives of the Command, attached to Anti-Cultism Unit, Emuohia Annex, one Robinson Uche (Male, 29 years), 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. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to actively participating in the killing of the deceased.
“According to his statement, the incident occurred on 17th December 2025 when he and four others—identified as Prince (also known as “Onyia-Army”), surname unknown; Achor (surname unknown); Gift Okere, also known as “Nnaye”; and another individual whose name he could not provide 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 (the prime suspect) further alleged that in the course of the encounter, the group shot the deceased, resulting in 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.”
The state police spokesperson stated that following a confession, the suspect led officers to the site where the victim’s body had been buried.
“The remains of the deceased were successfully exhumed from a shallow grave and have been deposited at the Military Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.
“Police efforts have been intensified to apprehend the other suspects, who are currently at large,” she added.
State Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju assured the public that the command is fully committed to ensuring justice in the case and will pursue all individuals involved.
“Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues,” the spokesperson concluded.
When asked whether the monarch who allegedly hired the suspects to bring the deceased to his palace had been apprehended, she replied, “Not yet, but efforts are ongoing to arrest him.”
On Monday, the Oyo State Police Command arrested Giwa Sodiq in connection with a criminal incident that resulted in the death of Kehinde, also known as “Ogo Ojigbo.”
State Police Public Relations Officer Olayinka Ayanlade stated that a preliminary investigation revealed that community authorities had informed the Iyana-Offa Division that they were alerted by local security guards to a confrontation involving a group of youths while residents were asleep.
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