Port Harcourt – Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have busted a suspected kidnapping syndicate, arrested four suspects and rescued a 35-year-old woman abducted from her shop in Aluu Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
The police also recovered the white tinted mini-bus allegedly used by the gang to carry out the abduction.
The victim, identified as Mrs. Ikechukwu, was kidnapped on Saturday, July 11, 2026, while attending to customers at her shop before being forced into the waiting vehicle by armed men.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, ASP Blessing Agabe, said operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) launched an intelligence-led operation after the victim’s husband reported the incident.
She said the operation was carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, leading to the arrest of four suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate.
The suspects were identified as Owhor Chinedu, 42, from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area; Isioto Waribok, 30, from Andoni Local Government Area; Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area; and Joe Karachi, 28, also from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
According to Agabe, the suspects allegedly confessed to their individual roles during interrogation, while the vehicle used for the operation was recovered by the police.
She disclosed that efforts were ongoing to arrest two other members of the gang still on the run and recover the firearms allegedly used during the kidnapping.
The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police has reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes across Rivers State.
Adepoju also appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring them that all useful intelligence would be treated with strict confidentiality.
He reiterated the command’s determination to protect lives and property and ensure criminal elements are tracked down and brought to justice.
