Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have apprehended four suspected kidnappers believed to be responsible for several abduction incidents across Ikwerre Local Government Area and Etche Local Government Area.
The suspects were arrested during a targeted security operation carried out by officers attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit of the command following intelligence gathered during investigations into a recent kidnapping case.
According to the police, the operation was triggered by the abduction of a young woman identified as Miss Favour Chika, who was kidnapped on February 25, 2026, in the Igwuruta community while heading to her farm. She was later released on March 2 after her family reportedly paid a ransom of ₦3 million to secure her freedom.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the arrests in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday. She disclosed that the suspects were intercepted in the early hours of the morning along the Ipo/Ozaha Farm Road while allegedly preparing to execute another kidnapping operation.
The suspects were identified as Usman Dan-Mama, 20, from Mubi in Adamawa State; Abdullahi Kabir, 27, from Damaturu in Yobe State; Idris Ismaila, 20, from Taraba State; and Mohammed Dalandi, 22, also from Yobe State.
Following their arrest, a search conducted on the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of weapons and ammunition, including a locally fabricated pistol, a modified single-barrel firearm, and 20 live cartridges.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to carrying out several kidnapping operations across communities such as Igwuruta-Ali, Omagwa, Ozaha, Ipo, and parts of Etche.
Investigators also linked the group to the abduction of an engineer identified as Engr. Okoro Osita and his associate along the Port Harcourt International Airport Road on February 12, 2026. The victims were reportedly released after their families paid a ransom of ₦3 million.
In addition, the suspects reportedly admitted involvement in another kidnapping incident that occurred on January 31, 2026, along the Afara/Egwi Road in Etche Local Government Area. The victims in that case, Sympathy Agu and Chioma Njoku, were also released after ransom payments.
Police authorities said efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the criminal network who remain at large.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, commended the officers involved in the operation and reiterated the command’s determination to tackle kidnapping and violent crimes across the state.
He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing useful information that could help prevent criminal activities and ensure the safety of communities.
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