The Rivers State Police Command said its officers have arrested a four-man syndicate allegedly involved in a N4.6 million fraud.

According to the police, the arrest followed a report it received about a criminal act involving a house help.

Spokesperson for the state police command, Blessing Agabe, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday and sent to newsmen.

Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, revealed that the house help identified as Praise Sampson was deceived by two men into boarding a taxi.

She said the men later made her to produce Automated Teller Machine cards belonging to her employer through which they withdrew over N4 million.

The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat crimes within the state.

“This case was reported on the 26th April 2026 at about 1930 hours, one Rosemary Vincent (Female), a resident of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, reported a case of fraud involving her house help, Praise Sampson (Female).

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the said Praise Sampson was deceived into boarding a taxi by two male suspects, who subsequently compelled her to produce two ATM cards belonging to her employer. The suspects fraudulently withdrew a total sum of ₦4,607,199 from her employers bank account.

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Command, Divisional Police Station Choba, acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju swiftly carried out a coordinated operation that led to the arrest of the suspects.”

She gave the names of the arrested suspects as as Praise Sampson (female, 20 years), a native of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Michael Chijioke (male, 36 years), native of Abia State, Ndubuisi Jonah (male), native of Abia State, Ehirim Ugonna (male,38 years), native of Imo State, Okeke Chizoba Daniel (male, 40 years), native of Imo State.

“These suspects have been linked to a series of criminal activities and have allegedly been terrorizing residents within the Port Harcourt metropolis,” the statement further stated.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, has urged members of the public to stay vigilant, avoid interacting carelessly with strangers and never share sensitive banking details such as ATM cards or PINS.

CP Adepoju advised members of the public rto avoid boarding suspicious vehicles and report any unusual activities to the police for prompt action.

Agabe said, “The command assures residents of its continued commitment to their safety and security.”

On Friday, the Ogun State Police Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, arrested three suspected armed robbers and recovered three stolen vehicles alongside a fabricated pistol.

The suspects were arrested following coordinated investigations into reported cases of vehicle theft across Ogun State and neighbouring states. (The PUNCH)

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