Police arrest three kidnappers, rescue two victims in Rivers State

In a significant breakthrough for crime fighting in Rivers State, the Police Command has apprehended three notorious kidnappers and rescued two individuals who had fallen victim to their deceitful tactics. These criminals operated by luring unsuspecting victims from across the country using social media platforms, employing the images of prominent figures to foster trust before executing their nefarious plans.

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The Rivers State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat crimes within the State.

The suspects were apprehended in the act of abducting another victim, who had been lured from Anambra State under the false pretense of an interior decoration job. This operation, leveraging technology-driven strategies, highlights the police's commitment to combating crime within the state. The arrested individuals, identified as Hinedu Okoro, Okwudiri Njoku, and Onyema Sunday, have confessed to a series of kidnappings, including those of victims from Enugu and Lagos States.

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Sequel to the kidnap of one Chukwudekwu Emmanuel (male), a resident of Lagos State, which occurred on 17th February, 2026, at Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, operatives of the Command based at Emohua, leveraging on the technology-driven strategies of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on 14th April, 2026, at about 1300hrs, successfully apprehended three suspected kidnappers linked to the crime.

The police spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, disclosed that the suspects specialized in using platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Tinder to ensnare their targets. The recovery of an operational motorcycle further aids the investigation. Efforts are currently underway to track down the fleeing leader of the gang and other syndicate members. The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has reassured residents of the command's dedication to ensuring their safety and security, a commitment that is clearly being put into action with operations like this.

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Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects specialise in luring unsuspecting victims from different parts of the country through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Tinder, using the images of reputable personalities to gain trust.