David Mark, others arrested, stolen vehicle recovered in Rivers

By Johnson Arua

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a robbery and murder syndicate allegedly involved in the killing of a commercial driver and the theft of his vehicle in the state.

The suspects, identified as David Mark, 30, Nkajit Williams, 45, and Godgift John, 33, were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju.

According to the police, the victim, Mr. Christopher Emmanuel Akpabio, a 55-year-old commercial driver from Akwa Ibom State, was reported missing on May 22, 2026, after embarking on a trip from Port Harcourt.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Akpabio was hired at Garrison Motor Park by individuals who claimed they were travelling to Asarama Community in Andoni Local Government Area for a traditional marriage ceremony.

The police said the suspects allegedly used the trip as a ploy to lure the driver to a remote location, where he was killed and his black Daihatsu Hijet minibus, bearing registration number BGM 328 DA, stolen.

Acting on intelligence, operatives traced the suspects and arrested them on May 28. During the operation, the stolen vehicle was recovered.

Further investigations led detectives to a shallow grave in Asarama Community, where the decomposing remains of the victim were discovered and subsequently exhumed.

The police said the body has been deposited at the mortuary of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for preservation and further forensic examination.

The suspects are currently in custody and assisting investigators with efforts to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the crime.

The Command also disclosed that a fourth suspect linked to the incident remains at large, adding that a manhunt has been launched to ensure his arrest and prosecution.

Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to combating violent crime and bringing perpetrators to justice.

He urged members of the public, particularly commercial drivers, to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures when accepting passengers, especially for long-distance trips.

The police advised drivers to always share details of their movements with family members, colleagues or trusted associates and to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.