Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers alleged to have killed two victims after collecting a combined ransom of ₦10.4 million.
The arrests followed a distress call over the abduction of one Humphrey Wagbara in Igwuruta-Atali, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Acting on intelligence, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit, Emohua Annex, carried out a coordinated operation in the early hours of September 19, 2025, leading to the arrest of the suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre LGAs.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, gave the names of the suspects as Hassan Mohammed, 20, from Adamawa; Bello Abubakar, 25, from Sokoto; and Yusuf Ahmed, 23, from Bauchi.
During interrogation, the trio reportedly confessed to several abductions in Port Harcourt and its environs.
Among their victims were Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube, kidnapped on September 24, 2025, in Igwuruta-Atali, where the gang collected ₦6.9 million before killing Nchekwube.
They were also linked to the September 12, 2025, abduction of one Mercy Chinyere, from whom they extorted ₦3.5 million before her release.
Items recovered from the suspects include a G-3 rifle with magazine, an Itel phone belonging to Wagbara, three short daggers, a jack knife, and a stainless short knife.
Police Commissioner Olugbenga Adepoju commended the operatives for their bravery and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
He assured that efforts were ongoing to track down fleeing members of the syndicate and recover more weapons.