The Rivers State Police Command has announced the arrest of three suspected kidnappers believed to be behind a series of abductions in the Igwuruta-Atali area of the State. This breakthrough was achieved following a coordinated operation by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex on 19th September 2025.

Background of the Case

The Command first received a distress report on 26th August 2025 about the kidnapping of Mr. Humphrey Wagbara, a resident of Igwuruta-Atali. Acting on intelligence, police operatives swung into action and conducted raids across Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas, leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Arrested Suspects

The arrested individuals, all young men in their early 20s, hail from different northern states of Nigeria:

• Hassan Mohammed, 20 years old, from Wandigah Town in Mandagali, Borno State.
• Bello Abubakar, 25 years old, from Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State.
• Yusuf Ahmed, 23 years old, from Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

Confessions and Other Crimes Linked

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in several kidnappings in Rivers State, including:

• The abduction of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on 24th September 2025 at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali. The syndicate collected a ransom of ₦6.9 million, but tragically killed Nwabueze Nchekwube after the payment.
• The kidnapping of Mercy Chinyere on 12th September 2025, also in Igwuruta-Atali, where they extorted ₦3.5 million before releasing her.

Recovered Exhibits

Police operatives also recovered several dangerous items from the suspects, including:

• One G-3 Rifle (Breech Number 10398)
• One Rifle Magazine
• One Itel Phone belonging to victim Humphrey Wagbara
• Three Short Daggers
• One Jack Knife
• One Stainless Short Knife

The suspects and all recovered exhibits are currently in police custody. Efforts are underway to track down other fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate.

CP’s Remarks

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, commended the bravery and dedication of the operatives who carried out the arrests. He emphasized that the Command remains unwavering in its mission to dismantle criminal networks across the state.

He further urged residents to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or security agency.

RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND PRESS RELEASE:

Arrest of Suspected Kidnappers and Recovery of Exhibits.

On 26th. August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, 'm' of Igwuruta-Atali. 

Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on19th. September, 2025 at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim. The suspects identified as:

* Hassan Mohammed, 'm', 20 years old from Wandigah Town in Mandagali, Borno State,

* Bello Abubakar, 'm', 25 years old, from Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State,

* Yusuf Ahmed, 'm', 23 years old, from Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

During interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State, including:

* The Kidnapped of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of Six Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (#6,900,000) before killing Nwabueze Nchekwube.

* The Kidnapped of Mercy Chinyere 'f' on September 12, 2025' at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#3,500,000.) before releasing her.

Exhibits Recovered from the suspects include:

* One G-3 Rifle with Breech 

Number 10398

* One Magazine 

* One Itel Phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim 

* Three Short Daggers 

* One Jack Knife 

* One Stainless Short Knife 

Suspects and exhibits are currently in Police custody. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional operational weapons.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, commends the diligence, bravery and dedication of the Operatives in making these arrests and recovering exhibits. He noted that the outcome of the operation underscores the Commands unrelenting commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens of the State, and urging residents to report any suspicious activities to the nearest Police station or other Security agencies.

SP GRACE IRINGE-KOKO, ANIPR,

Police Public Relations Officer,

Rivers State Police Command.