Security forces, including police and military, launch operation in rural Rivers State areas following reported incursion by nomadic cattle grazers

Security operatives in Rivers State have launched a search operation in the bushes of Ipo and Igwuruta-Ali Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area, in pursuit of suspected killer herders who invaded the area last weekend.

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The invasion occurred on Friday, when armed bandits stormed farming areas in Ipo, prompting the local vigilante group to be alerted by farmers, and the group's leader subsequently mobilized to the scene.

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The leader of the vigilante group, however, failed to return from the operation, and sources allege that the bandits, who had superior firepower, abducted him.

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The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that its personnel, along with operatives from other security agencies, have visited the affected area and destroyed some camps belonging to the invaders.

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Blessing Agabe, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command and an Assistant Superintendent of Police, disclosed this information in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

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According to Agabe, the joint security operation was successful, and the Command wishes to inform the general public about the outcome of the operation against criminal elements operating in the state.

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The operation, which took place on April 12, 2026, at about 1300 hours, involved tactical teams from the Command and other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

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The joint security team identified and cleared criminal hideouts at IPO and IGWURUTA-ALI Camp, recovering several items, including one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, 274 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and other materials.

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Preliminary investigation has revealed that the recovered pump-action gun may belong to the allegedly missing vigilante leader, and one suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident.

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Agabe stated that preliminary findings suggest the recovered pump-action gun is suspected to be owned by the leader of the local vigilante group called OSPAC, who was allegedly abducted previously.

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The criminal camps were successfully destroyed, and while one suspect was arrested, other suspects fled the scene before the arrival of security operatives, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and rescue the kidnapped victim.