A notorious gang leader, linked to several criminal activities in Rivers State, has been killed during a shootout with the police. The Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, revealed this at a press briefing in Port Harcourt. He disclosed that the gang leader, who was closely associated with the infamous Daddy Chukwu, was killed following an intense gun battle with law enforcement officers.
This development follows the brutal assassination of Chief Ndidi Livingstone, the former Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman of Mgbuoshimini. Livingstone was murdered on January 13, 2024, in front of his church, Peculiar Faith Ministries in Rumueme. The gang, consisting of four men, dragged him out of the church and shot him four times with AK-47 rifles in full view of his family and congregation. The shocking murder, captured in a viral video, sparked widespread outrage across the country.
According to Commissioner Disu, a nationwide manhunt was launched by the FID-Intelligence Response Team and the Rivers State Command. This led to the identification of the assassins, including the mastermind, Peter Daddy Chukwu. On April 5, 2024, police tracked Chukwu to his hideout in Ibusa, Delta State, where he resisted arrest and was killed during an exchange of gunfire.
In the weeks following Daddy Chukwu’s death, Commissioner Disu assured the public that every member of the gang would be brought to justice. The relentless pursuit has now resulted in the arrest of three individuals directly involved in the assassination, along with six others connected to the gang’s criminal network.
Key Suspects Apprehended:
- Nnamdi Emmanuel, Alias BYC (35 years): Originally from Onicha LGA in Ebonyi State, he spent seven years in Port Harcourt Maximum Prison for burglary and was released in May 2023. After his release, he joined kidnapping gangs operating in Abia, Anambra, and Rivers States. He later joined forces with Daddy Chukwu and was involved in two assassination operations, including the killing of Chief Livingstone. Police recovered two AK-47 rifles, 141 rounds of ammunition, and eight magazines from him.
- John Lucas (34 years): A dismissed Lance Corporal from the Nigerian Army, Lucas played a pivotal role in the assassination of Chief Livingstone. He was seen in the viral video delivering the fatal shot. Lucas also led a criminal gang that specialized in highway robbery, including the theft of 56 Skyrun refrigerators in Akwa Ibom State. Recovered from him were IEDs, military uniforms, refrigerators, and a black Highlander vehicle used during the assassination.
- Adebayo Adebayo (48 years): A former Sergeant in the Nigerian Army, dismissed in 2019, Adebayo participated in the murder of Chief Livingstone. After a nationwide manhunt, he was eventually arrested in Kwale, Delta State, where he was working as a Chief Security Officer at a waste management company.
- Chimezie Adiele (29 years): Another dismissed Lance Corporal, Adiele was involved in armed robbery operations with Lucas and participated in the theft of 56 refrigerators. He received four refrigerators as his share of the loot.
- Ogolo Promise (25 years): A former member of the De-gbam cult group, Promise was involved in several armed robbery operations and was an associate of BYC. He rented weapons to various criminal groups and facilitated numerous criminal activities.
- Chigemezu Anochirimoyanya (29 years): A minibus driver who assisted in kidnappings for different gangs.
- Success Oge (39 years): Arrested for stealing Chigemezu’s vehicle, Oge was also involved in various kidnappings.
- Ifeanyi Nwadike (30 years): A suspect involved in carjacking and kidnapping, who was arrested after participating in the theft of a Toyota Camry in January 2024.
- Sunday Godspower, Alias 2Baba (33 years): Linked to the murder of another traditional leader in Mgbuoshimini, Chief Minikwu Chukwu, who was killed in 2017.
During their interrogation, four of the key suspects led police to a weapons cache at a camp in Aluu village. However, upon arriving at the camp, the police team came under heavy fire from gang members. In the ensuing gun battle, the suspects were caught in the crossfire. They were taken to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for treatment but were pronounced dead upon arrival. Their bodies have since been deposited in the morgue for autopsy.
Weapons Recovered:
- 2 AK-47 rifles
- 1 Assault rifle
- 2 SMG rifles
- 1 Shotgun
- 10 magazines
- 150 rounds of live ammunition
- 1 pistol
Efforts are still ongoing to arrest additional suspects connected to Daddy Chukwu’s criminal network and recover more weapons.
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