Tragedy struck in Rivers State following the kidnapping and killing of a 25-year-old woman, Rita Eleonu, despite her family paying a ransom in an attempt to secure her release.
Findings by the Rivers State Police Command revealed that Rita, an indigene of Rumuekini Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, was enticed on 13 December, 2025, by acquaintances to Rumuakunde Community in Emohua LGA.
She was subsequently abducted and taken to a secluded forest area along the East–West Road, where her captors later ended her life.
The case was reported to the police on 29 December, 2025, after the victim’s family lost contact with her and all efforts to trace her whereabouts failed.
Police confirmed that the abductors demanded and received a ransom of N210,000 before killing the young woman.
Following the report, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit, Emohua annex, commenced intelligence-driven operations that led to the arrest of a suspect, identified as 26-year-old Goodnews Iberi, a native of Rumuakunde Community.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspect was apprehended on 8 January, 2026, at his hideout.
She said Iberi admitted his involvement during interrogation and provided information that led officers to the forest where the victim’s decomposing body was later recovered.
The remains have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) mortuary for autopsy, while investigations continue to track down four other suspects believed to be part of the kidnapping operation.
Reacting to the incident, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police (CP) Olugbenga Adepoju, described the crime as disturbing and assured residents that those responsible would be brought to justice.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and support the police with timely and credible information to aid ongoing investigations.
The Command also called on residents to promptly report suspicious activities, emphasising that community cooperation remains vital in curbing kidnapping and violent crimes across the state.
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