Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have neutralised two suspected kidnappers and rescued a female victim during an operation along Ozuaha Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The police said the suspects were intercepted while sharing ransom collected from the victim’s family, following actionable intelligence received by the command.
The spokesperson of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, explaining that operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit moved in on the kidnappers’ hideout after a tip-off.
According to the police, the suspects opened fire on the operatives when they were confronted, forcing the officers to respond.
Iringe-Koko said two of the suspects were neutralised during the exchange, while others escaped into the surrounding forest with gunshot injuries, leading to the successful rescue of the victim, whose identity was withheld.
The statement read, “The Rivers State Police Command, in its sustained efforts to combat kidnapping and armed robbery in the state, has recorded a breakthrough.
“In a daring operation, operatives of the command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit, Emohua Annexe, acting on credible intelligence, successfully rescued a kidnapped female victim of Omademe Community, who was abducted on Friday, December 5, 2025, along Ozuaha Road, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“According to a report by the victim’s brother on December 9, 2025, the abductors had demanded a ransom of N1.2m and threatened to kill the victim if the payment was not made promptly.”
The command said it swiftly mobilised after the report and carried out a carefully coordinated operation to rescue the victim.
“At about 11:30am, police operatives, utilising intelligence-led operations, covertly stormed the kidnappers’ hideout in a forested area off Ozuaha Road and met the suspects sharing the ransom.
“Upon sighting the operatives, the heavily armed kidnappers opened fire, leading to a fierce gun battle.
“The police, displaying bravery and professionalism, neutralised two of the suspects, while others escaped into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
“The victim was rescued unhurt, and part of the ransom was recovered,” the statement added.
Iringe-Koko disclosed that items recovered from the scene included one pump-action rifle, five live cartridges, two expended cartridges and a locally made pistol, all of which have been taken into custody as investigations continue.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the operatives for their courage and professionalism, expressing satisfaction over the successful rescue of the victim.
Adepoju assured residents of the command’s resolve to sustain law and order across the state and appealed to members of the public with useful information on the fleeing suspects to assist the police.
He also directed that investigations be intensified to track down those still at large and recover the remaining ransom to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.
“The command will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Rivers State remains safe and secure for all residents and visitors,” the statement concluded.
Rivers State has continued to witness incidents of kidnapping and other violent crimes in recent years, particularly along major roads and rural corridors, prompting heightened security operations by law enforcement agencies.
In response, the police command has stepped up intelligence-led policing, deploying specialised units, including the Anti-Cultism Unit and other tactical teams, to dismantle criminal gangs, recover arms and rescue abducted victims.
The command has repeatedly warned criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities, stressing that operatives would respond decisively to threats to public safety.