Rivers police rescue kidnapping victim and arrest suspected gang member

The Rivers State Police Command says it has rescued a kidnapping victim and arrested a 23-year-old suspected kidnapper during an operation in Port Harcourt. Police spokesperson Blessing Agabe said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday that the operation took place at the Eliozu–Rumuokoro axis after officers received a distress call about an abduction on September 24. According to the statement, a convoy patrol team stationed at Eliozu saw suspected kidnappers and pursued them towards Rumuokoro, by Eligbolu.

Operatives of the Special Area Division then mobilised and intercepted the fleeing suspects. The police identified the arrested suspect as Sunday Rufus, a native of Ikwerre Local Government Area. The rescued victim, identified as Emmanuel, was secured for medical attention, the command said.

Police listed the recovered exhibits as one AK-47 rifle, two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and a white tricycle bearing registration number PHC 756 ZY. The command said efforts were continuing to arrest other members of the alleged criminal gang. The statement attributed the operation to a coordinated response by officers following the reported abduction.

Rivers Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju said the state would not be a safe haven for criminals and that the command would continue intelligence-led operations against kidnappers and other criminal groups. Adepoju commended the officers involved and urged residents to provide timely and credible information, saying cooperation with communities was important in preventing and combating kidnapping and other violent crimes.