Nearly three months after the alleged killing of Shedrack Ogadinma Chukwem, the Rivers State Police Command has made a breakthrough, arresting a suspect and recovering the victim’s remains from a shallow grave.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, identifying the deceased as Chukwem, 42, an indigene of Umuemeshie Community, Chokota, in Igbo-Etche, Etche Local Government Area of the state.
According to her, “Following sustained and unrelenting investigative efforts by operatives of the Command attached to the 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.”
Iringe-Koko said the suspect, during interrogation, confessed to participating in the killing of the deceased.
“During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to actively participating in the killing of the deceased,” she stated.
Providing details of the incident, she explained that the crime allegedly took place in December 2025.
“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,” she said.
She added that the attempt to apprehend the victim reportedly escalated into violence.
“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 in his death,” Iringe-Koko disclosed.
The police spokesperson noted that the body was subsequently disposed of in a remote location.
“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,” she said.
She revealed that the suspect later guided operatives to the burial site, leading to the recovery of the remains.
“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,” Iringe-Koko stated.
She added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects linked to the crime.
“Efforts have been intensified by the Police to apprehend the other suspects who are currently at large,” she said.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, reassured the public of the Command’s commitment to justice.
“The Commissioner of Police assures members of the public that the Command remains committed to ensuring justice in this matter and will continue to pursue all individuals connected with the crime,” Iringe-Koko added, noting that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
