Police nab five suspected kidnappers in Rivers

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested five individuals suspected to be involved in various criminal activities, including kidnapping and cultism in the state.

The suspects are Yahaya Bello, Aliyu Usman, Sule Abubakar, and Abdullahi Adamu. Spokesperson for the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement yesterday, said investigation was initiated following a report made by the management of Lujo Heights Homes on January 19.

Iringe-Koko said the report detailed the disappearance of four staff members during a routine property inspection in Okocha Community, Igbo-Etche, Etche Local Council, saying despite repeated attempts to establish contact, there was no response from the missing individuals.
“She said: “Through meticulous intelligence-gathering efforts, the police apprehended four suspects believed to be connected to the incident.

“During questioning, these suspects confessed to their involvement in the abduction of the victims, as well as the subsequent destruction of the Toyota Sequoia SUV they were traveling in.

“The victims, who endured a harrowing ordeal in the forests of Etche, recounted being subjected to inhumane treatment and constant threats of death unless a ransom of N300 million was paid for their release.

“Investigations revealed that these individuals are part of a criminal network predominantly composed of Fulani individuals, operating under the guise of cattle rearers.

“They have been engaged in a series of kidnappings across Rivers, Delta, and Edo states. In Port Harcourt, they had taken up residence in Valley Decision Estate, where they deceitfully convinced the community to grant them access to the land, purportedly for protection against land grabbers.

“Aliyu Usman, 33, who hails from Kebbi State, emerged as a central figure in the criminal operations.He has been working as a security guard in Valley Decision Estate, Rumukwurushi, facilitating the infiltration of criminals. Aliyu has a previous history of involvement in armed robbery.

“Sule Abubakar, 25, was brought into the gang by Aliyu with the aim of strengthening their criminal activities in Port Harcourt.

“During interrogation, Sule confessed to his participation in his first kidnapping assignment in Edo State, alongside his elder brother who is currently at large.

“Abdullahi Adamu, 20, from Taraba State, recently arrived in Port Harcourt and was undergoing training in criminal operations under the guidance of Aliyu.” She added: “Yahaya, who had been supplying food to the captors, was also apprehended. He admitted to receiving a sum of NGN470,000 as his share of the ransom.

“During the operations, the police were able to recover two locally-made pistols, two smartphones, and a black Toyota Sequoia belonging to the gang. “Investigations are currently underway to apprehend other members of the criminal network who are still at large.”

In a separate operation, the Anti-Cultism Unit successfully arrested a notorious cultist and kidnapper known as Godfrey Odum. Grace Iringe-Koko said Godfrey was implicated in the abduction of Precious Chukwu, a student of Elechi Amadi Polytechnic. The victim was eventually released after being robbed of her belongings.

According to her, Godfrey has confessed to the crime and has provided crucial information regarding the identities of other gang members involved. Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, expressed his commendation for the outstanding efforts of the officers of Rivers State Police Command in combating crime and ensuring the safety of residents. He advised residents to be careful when hiring security personnel and reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to rid the state of criminal elements.

The Commissioner urged all residents to remain law-abiding citizens and to cooperate with the police in their efforts to maintain peace and security within the state.