Operatives of Hawk Tactical Team of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested eight suspected kidnappers and cyber fraudsters after raiding a hideout in Cypo Estate, Umuebule 1, in Etche council of Rivers state.

The Command, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the operatives, while acting on reliable intelligence on the activities of the suspects raided the hideout and rescued a 20-year-old victim unhurt.

The arrested suspects are Desmond Williams, 19, Isaac Patrick, 22, Prince Nelson aged 17, John Ahmed aged 17, Thankgod Neesogho, 22, Christian Adewale, 22, Uche Alaga, 16, and Nwika Fakae, 22, while and seven laptops and some substance suspected to be illicit hard drugs were recovered from them.

According to her, the suspects in their confessional statements revealed that their modus operandi, include defrauding innocent victims online and fleecing them of their hard-earned money as well as luring unsuspecting victims to their hideout, and using them as baits to fleece their family members and loved ones.

She said: “The victim was lured by his friend who promised to give him a job in the hotel. When the job wasn’t forthcoming, the victim opted to go back to his home, but his captors wouldn’t let him. For his insistence, the victim was beaten severely and inflicted with body injuries.

“Suspects thereafter demanded N500,000 ransom from victim’s parents.”

Iringe-Koko, however, said Investigation was ongoing, while the Commissioner of Police (CP), Okon Effiong, had advised parents to monitor the activities of their children and be weary of the friends they keep.

She enjoined residents of the state to remain supportive, law-abiding, and vigilant and promptly report acts of crime and criminality to the nearest police station.