The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspect in connection with the killing of a 42-year-old man, Shedrack Chukwem.
The suspect, identified as Robinson Uche, 29, was said to have led a group involved in the crime.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, Uche and four others were allegedly sent by a monarch, Elijah Okere, to bring the victim to his palace.
She explained that the attempt to apprehend the deceased was resisted, which led the group to open fire, resulting in his death.
“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 police spokesperson added that after the confession, the suspect guided officers to the burial site, where the body was exhumed and taken to the Military Hospital mortuary for an autopsy.
She noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects who are still at large.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, reassured the public that the command is determined to ensure justice is served and that all those involved will be brought to book.
“Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses,” the Command’s spokesperson said.
When asked whether the monarch allegedly involved had been arrested, she replied briefly, “Not yet, but efforts are on to arrest him.”
