Police Arrest Four Suspected Kidnappers in Rivers State

The Rivers State Police Command says it has arrested four suspected kidnappers and recovered firearms during an operation targeting criminal activities across the state.

Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the breakthrough followed investigations into the abduction of a woman in Igwuruta, in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

According to the police, the victim, identified as Favour Chika, was kidnapped on 25 February 2026 at about 9:00 a.m. while on her way to her farm. She was later released on 2 March 2026 after her family reportedly paid a ransom of ₦3 million.

Suspects Arrested During Planned Operation

The Command said operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit, Emuoha Annex, acting on credible intelligence, tracked down and arrested four suspects in the early hours of the day at about 5:20 a.m. along Ipo/Ozaha Farm Road. Police said the suspects were allegedly planning another kidnapping operation when they were apprehended.

The suspects were identified as, Usman Dan-Mama (20) from Mubi, Adamawa State; Abdullahi Kabir (27) from Damaturu, Yobe State; Idris Ismaila (20) from Taraba State; and Mohammed Dalandi (22) from Yobe State.

A search conducted on the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, a cut-to-size single-barrel gun, and 20 live cartridges.

Suspects Confess to Multiple Kidnappings

During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to carrying out several kidnapping operations within the Igwuruta-Ali, Omagwa, Ozaha, Ipo, and Etche areas of Rivers State.

Police said the suspects also admitted involvement in the abduction of Engr. Okoro Osita and his friend on 12 February 2026 along Airport Road in Port Harcourt. The victims were later released after their families reportedly paid ₦3 million ransom.

The suspects further confessed to kidnapping one Sympathy Agu of Umuka-Mba, Etche, and Chioma Njoku of Obiri, Etche, on 31 January 2026 along Afara/Egwi Road in Etche Local Government Area. Police said the victims were also freed after ransom payments of ₦3 million by their families.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Adepoju, said efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the kidnapping syndicate who are still at large.