The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers linked to the killing of a victim after allegedly collecting a ₦6.9 million ransom.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the arrests in a statement on Monday, identifying the suspects as Hassan Mohammed, 20, from Borno State; Bello Abubakar, 25, from Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed, 23, from Bauchi State.
According to Iringe-Koko, the breakthrough followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali. Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit tracked and arrested the suspects during coordinated raids in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre local government areas on September 19.
The suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in several kidnappings across the state.
Among their victims was one Mercy Chinyere, abducted on September 12 at Igwuruta-Atali, where a ransom of ₦3.5 million was collected before her release.
Police further disclosed that on September 24, the gang kidnapped Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, collecting ₦6.9 million before killing one of the victims.
Recovered items from the suspects include a G-3 rifle, a magazine, daggers, knives, and a mobile phone belonging to Wagbara.
Iringe-Koko said the suspects remain in custody as detectives pursue fleeing accomplices and search for additional weapons.
Meanwhile, the Command also confirmed the arrest of a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl in Port Harcourt on September 6.