The Rivers State Police Command carried out an operation on September 24, 2026, in the Eliozu-Rumuokoro axis of Port Harcourt, resulting in the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and the rescue of a kidnapped victim. The operation was launched after the command received information about a kidnapping incident at about 10:15 p.m. on the same day. The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe, disclosed the details of the operation.
According to ASP Agabe, the Convoy Patrol Team stationed at Eliozu sighted the suspected kidnappers and immediately gave them a hot chase towards Rumuokoro, by Eligbolu. Operatives of the Special Area Division were mobilised following the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, and intercepted the fleeing suspects. The coordinated operation resulted in the arrest of one of the suspected kidnappers and the rescue of the victim, identified as Mr Emmanuel.
The arrested suspect, identified as 23-year-old Sunday Rufus, a native of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, was taken into custody. Exhibits recovered during the operation include one AK-47 rifle, two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and one white tricycle, popularly known as Keke, with registration number PHC 756 ZY. The police spokesperson said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the suspected criminal gang.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adepoju, reaffirmed that Rivers State would not be a safe haven for criminals, stressing that the command would sustain intelligence-driven and coordinated operations against kidnappers and other violent criminal elements across the state. He commended the officers and operatives involved in the operation for their prompt response, courage, and professionalism.
CP Adepoju urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to the police, noting that community cooperation remained vital to preventing and combating kidnapping and other violent crimes in Rivers State. The police command's efforts to tackle kidnapping and other crimes in the state have been ongoing, with several operations carried out in recent times.
The incident is a significant breakthrough for the Rivers State Police Command in its fight against kidnapping and armed robbery in the state. The command's proactive approach and swift response to the kidnapping incident led to the rescue of the victim and the arrest of the suspected kidnapper. The recovery of the AK-47 rifle and ammunition also indicates the command's efforts to disarm criminal elements.
The police command's operation is a testament to its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents in Rivers State. The command's efforts to engage with the community and encourage them to provide information to the police are crucial in preventing and combating crimes in the state. The arrest of the suspected kidnapper and the rescue of the victim are a demonstration of the command's resolve to tackle crime.
Key points
- The Rivers State Police Command arrested a suspected kidnapper and rescued a kidnapped victim during an operation in Port Harcourt.
- The operation resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
- The police command's efforts to tackle kidnapping and other crimes in the state have been ongoing, with several operations carried out in recent times.
