The Rivers State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against kidnapping and violent crime with the arrest of two suspected members of a kidnap syndicate operating within the state, leading to the recovery of N2.38 million believed to be part of ransom proceeds.
The arrest followed credible intelligence received by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex, who intercepted the suspects along the Ozuzu/Apara Link Road in Etche Local Government Area (LGA) on 22 January, 2026, at about 8:49pm.
The suspects, identified as Abdullahi Ibrahim, 23, from Avara LGA of Nasarawa State, and Mohammed Hashim, 27, from Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State, were allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a female victim and three others at Elele Waterside, Etche LGA, on 19 January, 2026.
A search conducted on the suspects at the point of arrest led to the recovery of the sum of N2,383,000, suspected to be part of ransom paid by the victims’ families.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to the crime and admitted their involvement in other kidnapping incidents, including the abduction of two female victims from Akpoku Community, Etche LGA, on 8 January, 2026.
Police investigations further revealed that the gang’s activities resulted in the death of a community youth who was reportedly attempting to deliver ransom to the kidnappers on 13 January, 2026.
In an effort to dismantle the syndicate, the suspects led police operatives to their hideouts. However, the operation was met with stiff resistance from other gang members, leading to a gun battle between the police and the criminals.
During the encounter, the arrested suspects sustained fatal injuries, while other members of the gang fled into surrounding bushes with gunshot wounds.
Items recovered during the operation included one pump-action gun and the recovered ransom sum of N2.38 million.
The Rivers State Police Command has since intensified efforts to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, who are believed to be armed.
Commending the operatives for their courage and professionalism, the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olugbenga Adepoju, reaffirmed the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on crime and its determination to ensure the safety of residents across the state.
According to the police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, the Command have appealed to the members of the public to report anyone seeking medical treatment for gunshot injuries under suspicious circumstances, as investigations continue.
The Command reiterated its commitment to making Rivers State a hostile environment for criminal elements and assured residents that all perpetrators of crime will be brought to justice.
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