The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five suspected kidnappers, and recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunitions.
Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement on Tuesday, said the arrest of the suspects followed coordinated operations of the anti-kidnapping unit of the command on March 8, 2025.
“Following a series of kidnapping incidents within the Rukpokwu, Igwuruta, Omagwa, and Etche areas, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit, acting on actionable intelligence, conducted a coordinated operation on March 8, 2025, commencing at approximately 09:30 am,” Iringe-Koko said.
She disclosed that the operation lasted for eight hours, and resulted in the arrest of the suspects
The statement gave the names of the suspects as, Mohammadu Bello, from Padiki Local Government Area of Kwara State, residing in Rukpokwu; Suleman Umar, from Hadeja Local Government Area of Jigawa State, residing in Rukpokwu; Bello Amadu, from Keffi-Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, residing in Rukpokwu.
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Others are, Adamu Musa, from Hadeja Local Government Area of Jigawa State, residing in Rukpokwu, and.Abubakar Mohammed, from Azare Local Government Area of Bauchi State, residing in Rukpokwu.
According to the police, the suspects during interrogation, confessed to multiple kidnapping, including the tragic killing of the chief security officer of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Omagwa, where the victim and his son were murdered in cold blood.
Items recovered from the suspects include, two AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, 66 rounds of ammunition, three locally made pistols, 10 live cartridges, several mobile phones and SIM cards
“The suspects are currently in police custody, and are cooperating with investigators. Efforts are ongoing to uncover details of other crimes committed by the syndicate and to arrest others at large.
“The Rivers State Police Command assures the public of its unwavering commitment in ensuring the safety and security of all residents. Further updates on this investigation will be communicated in due course,” the statement stated.
