Police arrest three suspects in Rivers bus driver's murder

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three suspects linked to the murder of a 55-year-old bus driver named Christopher Akpabio. This incident happened in the Asarama community, located in Andoni Local Government Area.

The police took action after receiving a report about the driver’s disappearance. This led to an investigation by their Violent Crime Response Unit.

Blessing Agabe, the spokesperson for the state Police Command, shared this information in a statement on Thursday evening in Port Harcourt.

Agabe, who is an Assistant Superintendent of Police, explained that the suspects hired Akpabio from Garrison, a well-known junction in Port Harcourt. They asked him to drive them to the Rivers community for a traditional marriage, not revealing their true intentions.

While heading to Asarama community, the suspects attacked the driver, killed him, and buried his body in a shallow grave. They also took his mini-bus.

The statement said, "Following the proactive crime-fighting strategies of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, aimed at combating violent crimes and strengthening public safety across the State, in line with the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji 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 after Christopher Emmanuel Akpabio went missing. He was a native of Akwa Ibom State.

According to preliminary investigation, the suspects hired Akpabio at Garrison Park in Port Harcourt under the pretense of needing transportation to a traditional marriage in Asarama. They had a hidden plan to kill him and steal his vehicle, a black Daihatsu Hijet minibus with registration number BGM 328 DA.

The investigation later led to the shocking finding of Akpabio’s body buried in a shallow grave at Asarama community.

Agabe named the arrested suspects as David Mark, a 30-year-old man from Andoni LGA; Nkajit Williams, a 45-year-old also from Andoni LGA; and Godgift John, a 33-year-old from Okrika LGA, all in Rivers State.

She said that following the instructions of the Commissioner of Police, operatives from the Violent Crime Response Unit in Diobu started a thorough investigation. This led to the arrest of the three suspects on 28th May 2026.

During this operation, the stolen Daihatsu Hijet minibus was recovered. The police have taken Akpabio’s remains to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital mortuary for preservation and further examination.

The investigation is still ongoing. The police are also working hard to find a fourth suspect who is still at large.

The police command has advised the public to be careful and watchful when making transport or business arrangements with strangers, especially for long trips or late-night journeys.

Commercial drivers are urged to inform family members, colleagues, or trusted friends before going on such trips. Residents should report any suspicious people or activities to the nearest Police Station or through the command’s emergency lines for quick action.

The Command reassures everyone that it remains committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring that criminals do not have a safe place in the state.