Four suspects linked to the death of Chief Executive Officer of HMG Attitude Ltd, Hope Georgewill, have been neutralized by the Rivers State Police Command.
The spokesperson of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement shared with journalists on Tuesday, disclosed that despite the sum of N2 million being paid as ransom, Georgewill was killed and his remains have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary.
The deceased, Georgewill, was abducted on 26 March alongside two others along Cotton Channel, Bakana River, by a gang of notorious sea pirates led by Preye Ngian-Ngian, a male native of Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
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On 3 April, at approximately 07:30 hrs, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua, in collaboration with intelligence gathered from two suspects (names withheld, now deceased) arrested at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, staged a manhunt for the gang members.
Upon arrival at their hideout located in a creek off the Bonny Waterway, Iringe-Koko revealed that there was a gun battle between the security operatives and the kidnappers. Two suspects sustained fatal injuries while others took to their heels.
Additionally, in an attempt to evade arrest, the two suspects who initially led the team of officers to their den sustained severe injuries.
The four suspects who sustained severe injuries from the gunfight upon arriving the police clinic for urgent treatment but unfortunately, they were declared dead on arrival, and their remains have been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.
The various items recovered are one operational speedboat, one 80-horsepower and one 70-horsepower outboard engine, the deceased’s mobile phone (SIM card removed), one live cartridge, and food supplies used by the kidnappers.
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Olugbenga Adepoju, appreciated the officers for their effort, describing their success as a significant breakthrough in frustrating the activities of criminal elements within the state.
He reaffirmed the command commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the state.
“Further investigations are ongoing, and the public will be updated with any new developments,” she added.
