The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives have killed four of the kidnappers involved in the kidnap and murder of the Chief Executive Officer of HMG Attitude Limited, Hope Georgewill.
A statement on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko said the late company chief executive was abducted alongside two others on March 26, 2025, along the Cawthorne Channel on the Bakana River, by a gang of notorious sea pirates led by one Preye Ngian-Ngian a native of Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The statement lamented that despite the payment of ₦2 million ransom to the kidnappers, the body of the deceased was later recovered and deposited at the morgue.
“Following relentless investigative efforts and intelligence led policing, on April 3, 2025, at about 0730hrs, operatives of the anti-cultism unit in Emohua, in collaboration with intelligence gathered from two earlier arrested suspects in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, launched a tactical operation on the kidnappers’ hideout located in a creek, off the Bonny Waterway.
“Upon arrival at the hideout, the operatives came under heavy gunfire from the hoodlums. The team responded with decisive force, and in the ensuing exchange, two of the suspects were fatally wounded, while others fled the scene with varying degrees of injuries,” the statement explained.
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It said the two initial suspects who led the team to the location attempted to escape during the melee but were later apprehended with gunshot wounds.
The statement added that during a continued combing of the creek, one operational speedboat, one 80-horsepower and one 70-horsepower outboard engines were recovered, respectively.
Other items recovered include the deceased’s mobile phone SIM card, one live cartridge, and food supplies used by the kidnappers.
The statement said all four wounded suspects were immediately transported to the police clinic for emergency treatment.
However, upon arrival, the attending medical officer confirmed them dead on arrival. Their remains have since been deposited for autopsy.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, has commended the men of the command as this development marks a significant breakthrough in the continued effort to rid our waterways and communities of criminal elements.
He stated that the Rivers State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the state.
“Further investigations are ongoing, and the public will be updated with any new developments,” Iringe-Koko.
