Police arrest four suspected kidnappers, rescue victim in Rivers

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have dismantled a kidnapping syndicate, arresting four suspects and successfully rescuing a victim. The operation followed a distress call from the victim's husband, prompting an immediate response from the police.

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The Rivers State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes with the arrest of four suspected members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate, the safe rescue of the victim and the recovery of the gang’s operational vehicle.

The victim, identified as Mrs. Ikechukwu, 35, was reportedly abducted by armed men while attending to customers at her shop in the Aluu community, Ikwerre Local Government Area. The kidnappers whisked her away in a white-tinted mini-bus to an undisclosed location. The police successfully recovered the operational vehicle used in the abduction.

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The operation followed a report by Mr Ikechukwu, who informed the police that his wife, Mrs Ikechukwu, 35, was abducted by armed men on Saturday, July 11, 2026, while attending to customers at her shop.

According to Blessing Agabe, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, all four arrested suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crime during interrogation. The suspects have been identified as Owhor Chinedu, 30, from Andoni Local Government Area; Isioto Waribok, 30, from Andoni Local Government Area; Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area; and Joe Karachi, 28, also from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, all within Rivers State.

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Preliminary investigation indicates that all four suspects have confessed to their individual roles in the crime.

Police Commissioner Olugbenga Adepoju stated that efforts are underway to apprehend the two remaining members of the syndicate who are currently at large. The command is also working to recover the firearms used during the operation. Commissioner Adepoju reassured residents of the state of the command's unwavering commitment to eradicating kidnapping and other violent crimes, urging continued public cooperation.

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The command remains resolute in its determination to rid the state of kidnappers and other violent criminals.