By Sandra Kenneth
Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have dismantled a notorious kidnapping syndicate operating within the state, arresting five key suspects during a targeted, intelligence-led operation in the Oyigbo Local Government Area.
The arrests were confirmed on Thursday in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Blessing Agabe.
According to the police spokesperson, operatives attached to the Oyigbo Divisional Police Station carried out the coordinated raid following directives from the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju.
The arrested suspects have been identified as: Ezekiel Emmanuel (44), native of Benue State, Chukwuma Mbanefor (51), native of Anambra State, Nicholas Diala (65), native of Imo State,Ndubuisi Uwakwe (49), native of Abia State, Ifeanyi Nwakwo (51), native of Imo State
Confessions and Operations
Police report that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to their active involvement in multiple abductions across several communities, including Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama, and Afam. They admitted to terrorizing residents and orchestrating targeted abductions in Oyigbo and surrounding areas.
Agabe noted that active investigations and tracking operations are ongoing to track down remaining fleeing members of the syndicate.
Command Reaffirms Anti-Crime Drive
Reacting to the successful bust, Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju stated that the operation aligns with the intelligence-driven policing strategies mandated by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
CP Adepoju issued a stern warning to criminal elements operating within the state, declaring that Rivers State will offer no safe haven for kidnappers, cultists, or armed robbers.
He reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, urging members of the public to maintain vigilance and continue sharing timely, credible information to aid law enforcement efforts.
