The Rivers State Police Command says it has arrested a 26-year-old man, identified as Goodnews Iberi, over the abduction and killing of a 25-year-old woman, Rita Special Eleonu, in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.
Iberi, from Rumuakunde community, was picked up after detectives launched an investigation into Eleonu’s disappearance and subsequent death.
The victim hailed from Rundele, another community in the same council area.
Police said the matter was first reported on December 29, 2025, by the victim’s brother.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed that investigators discovered that the suspect and four others still on the run allegedly lured Eleonu to Rumuakunde on December 13, 2025, before abducting her.
Iringe-Koko said the gang was alleged to have taken the victim into a forest along the East-West Road in Emohua, where they collected a N210,000 ransom from her family but still murdered her.
She added that operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit in Emohua arrested Iberi on January 8, 2026, following actionable intelligence.
According to her, the suspect admitted his role during interrogation and later led officers to the forest where the woman’s decomposing remains were recovered.
The body was thereafter deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.
“The suspect is currently in custody while efforts are being intensified to track down the remaining members of the syndicate,” Iringe-Koko stated.
Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the officers for the breakthrough and urged residents to continue sharing credible intelligence to support ongoing security operations in the state.