Rivers: Police arrest two suspected kidnappers after N103m ransom payment

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a six-man kidnapping syndicate allegedly involved in the abduction of a resident of the state, identified as Hassan, who was released after his relatives paid N103 million ransom.

The command, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, ASP Agabe Blessing-Kaborlo, said the victim was abducted on 6 September 2026, in the vicinity of a commercial bank at Garrison, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the police received credible information about the kidnap on 7 September, following which operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU-AKU) commenced intelligence-led operations.

The victim was reportedly taken to Igbugulu Waterside, Borikiri, Port Harcourt, where he was held captive for three days before his release after the ransom was paid by his relatives.

The police spokesperson identified the suspects as Victor Ifeanyi, also known as “Big Boby”, a native of Aguleri Community, Otuocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, and Aniekan Okon Michael, also known as “Duff Man”, a native of Ikot Ukpor, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

She said preliminary investigation showed that the suspects had allegedly confessed to their involvement in the operation, adding that they disclosed that the syndicate comprised six members who used a white mini-bus, popularly known as Keke bus, during the operation.

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Kaborlo said the command had intensified efforts to arrest the remaining members of the syndicate and bring them to justice.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, called on members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the police in identifying and apprehending criminal elements.

Adepoju assured residents that information supplied to the police would be treated with necessary confidentiality.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to deploying intelligence-led operations to disrupt kidnapping syndicates and other criminal networks across the state, while urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.