Rivers police arrest two suspected cultists for murder of motorcyclist, recover victim's remains from forest

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected cultists over the gruesome murder of a motorcycle rider in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state. 

The spokesperson for the command, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, November 13, 2026 said the victim's remains were recovered from a forest.

She identified the victim as Sani Musa, from Zago Town, Kafin Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State. 

According to the PPRO, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects, Abubakar Sani and Yusuf Magaji, allegedly lured Musa to a forest in Mbiama Town, Ahoada, where they fatally stabbed him. 

The police spokesperson said that on October 22, following credible intelligence, operatives of the Command attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Emohua, received information about some suspected cultists sighted at Choba Motor Park, allegedly dismantling a motorcycle suspected to have been stolen.

Acting promptly, the operatives moved to the scene and arrested the two suspects. 

“The Rivers State Police Command has recorded a significant operational breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to rid the State of criminal elements, with the arrest of two suspected cultists allegedly involved in the gruesome murder of a motorcycle rider and the subsequent recovery of the victim’s remains in a forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State,” the statement read.

"On 22nd October 2026, at about 1300hrs, following credible intelligence, operatives of the Command attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Emohua, received information about some suspected cultists sighted at Choba Motor Park, allegedly dismantling a motorcycle suspected to have been stolen. 

"Acting promptly, the operatives moved to the scene and arrested two suspects identified as one Abubakar Sani, male, aged 24 and one Yusuf Magaji, male, aged 20, both natives of Kano State.

"Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly lured one Sani Musa, a motorcycle rider from Zago Town, Kafin Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, to a forest in Mbiama Town, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, where they reportedly stabbed him to death. 

"They allegedly concealed his remains in the bush before making away with his motorcycle.

"During investigation, the suspects confessed to the crime and disclosed that they planned to transport the stolen motorcycle to Kano State through a waybill.

"In a further development, the suspects led operatives to the forest, where the remains of the deceased were recovered. 

“The victim’s family was subsequently contacted and arrangements were made for the release of the remains for burial in accordance with Islamic rites and customs, as requested by the family.”

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, has directed that the investigation be intensified to establish all circumstances surrounding the incident, uncover any possible accomplices and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.

The Command reiterated its determination to rid Rivers State of cultism, murder and other violent crimes. 

The Command encouraged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, as public cooperation remains vital to identifying criminal elements and preventing crime across the State.