Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a 31-year-old suspect, Kelechi Wufurum, for allegedly killing a commercial minibus driver, Ifeanyi Abobo, in Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Government Area.

The victim, aged 51, was reportedly lured to the area under the guise of a transport job, unaware of the suspect’s alleged intentions.

Police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed the incident while briefing journalists at the command headquarters on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

According to her, the suspect engaged the victim in a confrontation before attacking him with a stick and later a cutlass, leaving him fatally injured near a forest.

“He hit him on the head, and when the victim tried to resist, he used a cutlass. The victim collapsed, and the suspect fled with the minibus, later selling it along with the victim’s mobile phone,” she said.

Iringe-Koko added that following a report of the incident, the Police Special Operations and Intelligence Team launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of the suspect and others linked to the crime, including those who purchased the stolen items.

The suspect reportedly confessed, explaining how he deceived the victim with a fake job offer, overpowered him, and made away with the vehicle.

Further investigations revealed that a relative of the suspect, Azubuike Oyemechi, assisted in facilitating the sale, while the buyer, Ugo Ikenna, was also taken into custody.

Police authorities say the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.