An intensive operation carried out police operatives in Rivers State Command yielded fruits, as five individuals suspected to be involved in various criminal activities, including kidnapping and cultism, have been arrested.
The arrest, according to the command’s spokeswoman, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, has demonstrated the unwavering commitment of the police in combating the menace of kidnapping within the region.
In a statement on Thursday, April 4, the PPRO said that the operation was initiated following a report made by the management of Lujo Heights Homes on January 19, 2024, about the disappearance of four staff members during a routine property inspection in Okocha Community, Igbo-Etche, Etche Local Government Area.
She stated that in spite of repeated attempts to establish contact, there was no response from the missing individuals.
“Through meticulous intelligence-gathering efforts, the police apprehended four suspects believed to be connected to the incident.
“The arrested individuals have been identified as Yahaya Bello, Aliyu Usman, Sule Abubakar, and Abdullahi Adamu.
Recovered from the suspects by the police were two locally-made pistols, two smartphones, and a black Toyota Sequoia belonging to the gang.
During questioning, these suspects confessed to their involvement in the abduction of the victims, as well as the subsequent destruction of the Toyota Sequoia SUV they were traveling in,” Iringe-Koko disclosed.
The victims, who endured a harrowing ordeal in the forests of Etche, recounted their being subjected to inhumane treatment and constant threats of death unless a ransom of N300 million was paid for their release.
According to information gathered by Thenewsbearer, investigations revealed that these individuals were part of a criminal network predominantly comprising of Fulani individuals operating in the guise of rearing cattle.
It was learnt that the suspects had been engaged in a series of kidnappings across Rivers, Delta, and Edo states.
The PPRO said: “In Port Harcourt, they had taken up residence in Valley Decision Estate, where they deceitfully convinced the community to grant them access to the land, purportedly for protection against land grabbers.”
One of the suspects, Kebbi State-born Usman, aged 33, was discovered to be a central figure in the criminal operations.
The image-maker said that he was working as a security man in Valley Decision Estate, Rumukwurushi, facilitating the infiltration of criminals .
He was also said to have had a previous history of involvement in armed robbery.
Another suspect, Abubakar, aged 25, was reportedly brought into the gang by Aliyu with the aim of strengthening their criminal activities in Port Harcourt.
During interrogation, Abubakar confessed to his participation in his first kidnapping assignment in Edo State, alongside his elder brother who is currently at large.
Twenty-year-old Adamu from Taraba State recently arrived in Port Harcourt and was undergoing training in criminal operations under the guidance of Aliyu before he was apprehended, the PPRO further disclosed.
Also, Yahaya, who had been supplying food to the captors, admitted to receiving N470,000 as his share of the ransom.
In another operation, the Anti-Cultism Unit successfully arrested a suspected cultist and kidnapper identified as Godfrey Odum.
Iringe-Koko stated that Godfrey was implicated in the abduction of Precious Chukwu, a student of Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, saying that the victim was eventually released after she was robbed of her belongings.
Godfrey, who reportedly confessed to the crime, also provided crucial information regarding the identities of other gang members involved.
Commending the operatives for their outstanding efforts in combatting crime and ensuring the safety of residents, the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, advised residents to be wary of just hiring anyone as security personnel.
CP Disu reiterated the command’s commitment to ridding the state of criminal elements.
He also urged all residents to remain law-abiding, and to cooperate with the police in their efforts towards maintaining peace and security within the state.
