*32-year-old suspected armed robber arrested by Rivers vigilante group

Members of Diobu Vigilante group at Mile1 have arrested a 32-year-old suspected armed robber, identified as Godspower Friday in the wee hours of Monday.

The suspect was caught in possession of a locally made pistol, machete and facemask, trying to cart away goods in a shop.

Assistant Secretary of Diobu Vigilante, Comrade Godstime Ihunwo, who is also the Chief Security Officer of Nkpolu-Oroworukwo community, who confirmed the arrest, said: “At about 2:30 a.m., yesterday (Monday), October 24, a 32-year-old suspected criminal known as Godspower Friday, who hails from Bayelsa State, but resides behind St. Thomas spare parts dealers’ mechanic garage in Diobu Port Harcourt, was arrested by us, while on patrol along IKwerre road/Wobo junction with a locally made pistol, machete and two phones.

“A facemask was recovered from the suspect which he uses to carry out his criminal activities in Oroworukwo PortHarcourt and he has been handed over to Nkpolu Divisional Police headquarters Mile 3 Diobu.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe Koko confirmed the incident but said she will give more updates soon.

MEANWHILE, a woman identified as Mary Okechukwu, who is the wife of Okechukwu Ejiogwu, accused of having sex with a married woman in a bush at Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Council of Rivers State, has spoken in her husband’s defence, absolving him of any blame in the allegation.

Mary, who spoke with newsmen yesterday, vouched for her husband’s fidelity, saying she can attest that her husband could not have stooped so low to have sex with a woman in a bush, let alone a married woman.

She said the allegation is unfounded and targeted at smearing the image of her husband.

Also speaking, the accused, Mr. Okechukwu, who is a member of Onelga Security Peace and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), denied the allegation via a telephone interview.

He vowed to drag the husband of the married woman and others accusing him falsely to court.

The OSPAC member also said even though the married woman has come out to say she did not have sex with him, his accusers are bent on tarnishing his image.

He, however confirmed that OSPAC leadership came to his house and carried two goats and a bunch of plantains based on the allegation.

When contacted, his accuser, Sammy (other names withheld), declined comment.

But Okechukwu has filed an official report at Ubima Police station in Ubima community.

That the Police are in the process of inviting parties on the matter.

In most Ikwerri communities, having sex in the bush whether the parties are married or not is a taboo.