The Bayelsa State Police Command has rescued a 42-year-old woman, Esther Chinedu, after nearly one month in captivity.
According to the police, Chinedu was abducted in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, where she resides and operates a phone and accessories shop.
Briefing journalists on Sunday, the state Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale said the victim, an indigene of Ebonyi State was abducted on July 28, 2026, after suspected kidnappers reportedly stormed her shop.
The suspects allegedly disguised themselves as customers seeking to purchase an item before abducting her.
The commissioner of police said the rescue operation was conducted by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo.
Adewale said the victim was rescued unhurt from a kidnappers’ hideout in Ogobiri Forest, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
According to him, the command received a distress call at about 7 p.m. on the day of the abductio, prompting the command to activated its intelligence network to track the perpetrators and secure the victim’s release.
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The commissioner of police said intelligence gathered through digital and local sources provided clues about the kidnappers’ movements.
He said the intelligence also revealed details of ransom negotiations between the suspects and the victim’s family.
According to Adewale, the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million but later reduced the ransom to N20 million. He added that the suspects reportedly collected N1.5 million from the victim’s husband for “refreshments”.
He revealed that during the rescue operation, the police arrested a suspect, identified as 33-year-old Mark from Akemfa 1 Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area.
The commissioner of police said the suspect confessed to participating in the abduction and provided details of the gang’s alleged operation.
