Suspect Arrested for Murder of 42-Year-Old in Rivers, Victim's Body Unearthed from Shallow Grave

The Rivers State Police Command has announced the arrest of an individual suspected of involvement in the murder of a 42-year-old resident named Shedrack Chukwem, which took place in the Etche Local Government Area.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, by the police spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspect, identified as Robinson Uche, allegedly led a group that committed the act.

CSP Iringe-Koko detailed that the suspect, with four accomplices, was reportedly tasked by a local chief to retrieve the deceased and bring him to his palace.

The official statement highlighted, "The Rivers State Police Command has made a major advancement in the investigation surrounding the conspiracy and murder of Shedrack Ogadinma Chukwem (Male, 42 years), from Umuemeshie Community in Chokota, located within the Igbo-Etche sector of the Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State."

As a result of persistent investigative efforts by officers from the Command's Anti-Cultism Unit, Robinson Uche, a 29-year-old from Umuechem, was located and apprehended at around 7:30 a.m. on March 6, 2026.

During questioning, Uche reportedly confessed to being actively involved in the murder of Chukwem.

He alleged that the incident unfolded on December 17, 2025, when he and four accomplices—identified as Prince (known as “Onyia-Army”), Achor, Gift Okere (also referred to as “Nnaye”), and one additional person whose name remains unknown—were employed by Chief Elijah Okere for the purpose of bringing the victim to the palace.

Uche recounted that they failed to apprehend Chukwem during their attempt to execute the plan at a family meeting he was attending.

He claimed that during this encounter, the group fatally shot Chukwem.

Following the murder, Uche stated that they transported the corpse to a forested area in Ekerre-Ugbor and buried it hastily in a shallow grave.

Upon confessing, Uche guided local police to the site of the burial.

Law enforcement successfully recovered the victim's remains from the shallow grave, which were subsequently taken to the Military Hospital Mortuary for an autopsy.

The police have intensified operations to capture the remaining suspects, who have not yet been apprehended.

CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju of the Rivers State Police Command has pledged to the public that they are dedicated to achieving justice in this case and will continue their pursuit of all involved in the crime. Further updates will be shared as the investigation moves forward.