The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate, rescued a 35-year-old woman abducted in Port Harcourt, and recovered the vehicle allegedly used in the operation, in what authorities described as another major breakthrough in the fight against violent crime.

The victim, identified simply as Mrs Ikechukwu, was kidnapped on July 11, 2026, while attending to customers at her shop.

According to the command, the armed suspects forced her into a white tinted mini-bus before fleeing the scene.

Following a report by her husband, Mr Ikechukwu, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) launched an intelligence-led operation on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, which resulted in the victim’s rescue and the arrest of four suspects.

The suspects are Owhor Chinedu, 42, from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Council, Isioto Waribok, 30, from Andoni Local Council, Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Council and Joe Karachi, 28, also from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Council.

The Police said the white mini-bus allegedly used for the abduction was recovered during the operation.

Investigators added that the suspects had made statements admitting to their individual roles in the crime, while efforts were ongoing to arrest two other members of the gang and recover the firearms allegedly used.

Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks across the state, assuring residents that sustained intelligence-driven operations would continue until kidnappers and other violent offenders are brought to justice.

He also urged members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information, assuring them that all useful intelligence would be treated with strict confidentiality.