Edith CHUKU
The body of 55-year-old driver, Mr Christopher Emmanuel Akpabio, who was lured to death under the guise of traditional marriage trip has been exhumed and deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital UPTH mortuary, in Rivers State.
Following their alleged involvement in Akpabio’s murder, the Rivers State Police command arrested three suspects; 30-year-old David Mark, a native of Andoni LGA, 33-year-old Godgift John, from Okrika and 45-year-old Nkajit Williams, from Andoni.
This was revealed on Thursday, by the Police Public Relations Officer, Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, in a statement made available to TNN.
Akpabio, a native of Akwa Ibom State was hired at Garrison Park in Port Harcourt, by the suspects who asked him to take them to Asarama Community in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.
The deceased driver embarked on the journey after they had agreed on the price, unknown to him their plan was to kill him(the driver) and dispose him of his vehicle.
The state police spokesperson explained that, “in line with the proactive crime-fighting strategies of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State command, Olugbenga A. Adepoju, aimed at combating violent crimes and strengthening public safety across the state, in line with the directives of the IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the command has recorded a major breakthrough in the investigation of a case involving alleged murder and robbery, leading to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of a stolen vehicle.
“The incident was reported on 22nd May 2026 following the disappearance of one Mr. Christopher Emmanuel Akpabio, male, 55 years, a native of Akwa Ibom State.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased was hired at Garrison Park, Port Harcourt, by the suspects under the guise of transporting them to Asarama Community in Andoni Local Government Area for a traditional marriage ceremony, unknown to him that they had a sinister mission to murder him and dispossess him of his vehicle, a black Daihatsu Hijet minibus with registration number BGM 328 DA.
“Further investigation later led to the shocking discovery of the victim’s remains buried in a shallow grave at Asarama community in Andoni Local Government Area in Rivers State.
“Acting on the operational directives of the commissioner of police, operatives of the command’s violent crime response unit (VCRU), Diobu, immediately launched a painstaking intelligence-driven investigation which culminated in the arrest of the three suspects on 28th May 2026.
“During the operation, the stolen black Daihatsu Hijet minibus with registration number BGM 328 DA was successfully recovered, while the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) mortuary for preservation and further examination.”
The command assured that, “investigation is still ongoing, and concerted efforts have been intensified to apprehend the fourth suspect who is currently at large.”
It further urged members of the public to exercise caution when entering transportation or business arrangements with unfamiliar persons, especially for long-distance or late-night trips.
Also, commercial drivers were advised to always inform family members, colleagues, or trusted associates before embarking on such journeys.
To residents of the state, the command encouraged them to promptly report suspicious persons, movements, or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.
Further, the command reassured the people of state of its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven within the state.
