The Rivers State police command has arrested three suspected kidnappers in Obio-Akpor and Ikwerre local government areas for killing and collecting N10.4 million ransom from victims’ families.
A statement signed by the police public relations officer, SP. Grace Iringe-Koko named the suspects as Hassan Mohammed, from Wandigah Town in Mandagali, Adamawa State; Bello Abubakar, from Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed from Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.
During interrogation, the suspects were said to have voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the state, reports The Nation.
They kidnapped Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 2, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, and collected a ransom of N6.9m before killing Nwabueze Nchekwube.
They further confessed to the kidnapping of Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3.5million before releasing her.
Exhibits recovered from the suspects were one G-3 rifle with breech number 10398, one magazine, one Itel Phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife, and one stainless steel short knife.
The statement said the operation was carried out by the operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex, acting on a distress call in connection with the abduction of Wagbara on August 26.
The suspects and exhibits were said to be in police custody while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, commended the diligence, bravery, and dedication of the operatives.
He noted that the outcome of the operation underscored the command’s unrelenting commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens of the state and urged residents to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or other security agencies.
