The Rivers State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping, arresting two suspected members of a six-man kidnapping syndicate. The suspects, Victor Ifeanyi and Aniekan Okon Michael, were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation by the Command's Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU). According to the police, the victim was kidnapped on September 6, 2026, near Fidelity Bank in the Garrison area of Port Harcourt.
The kidnappers took the victim to Igbugulu Waterside in Borikiri, where he was held for three days before being released after his relatives paid a ransom of N10.3 million. The police received credible information about the abduction on September 7, 2026, and immediately began an investigation. The VCRU operatives tracked the suspects, leading to the arrest of Ifeanyi, 24, and Michael, 36. Ifeanyi is from Aguleri Community in Otuocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, while Michael hails from Ikot Ukpor in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects admitted to their alleged involvement in the abduction. They also disclosed that the gang had six members and used a white mini-bus during the operation. The police have intensified efforts to arrest the remaining members of the syndicate. The Command's spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has urged residents to provide credible information that could help the police track criminal suspects. He assured residents that the Command would keep all information confidential. Adepoju also said the police would continue intelligence-led operations against kidnapping groups and other criminal networks in the state.
The Commissioner of Police emphasized the importance of community cooperation in the fight against crime. He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies. The police have been working tirelessly to combat kidnapping and other crimes in Rivers State. The arrest of the two suspects is a significant achievement in this effort.
The kidnapping incident has highlighted the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between the police and the community. Residents are advised to be cautious and report any suspicious activities to the police. The police are committed to ensuring the safety and security of residents in Rivers State.
The police have promised to take a proactive approach to preventing kidnapping and other crimes. They will continue to work with the community to identify and apprehend suspects. The arrest of the two suspected kidnappers is a step in the right direction in the fight against crime in Rivers State.
Key points
- The Rivers State Police Command arrested two suspected kidnappers who collected a N10.3 million ransom for the abduction of a Port Harcourt resident.
- The suspects, Victor Ifeanyi and Aniekan Okon Michael, were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation by the Command's Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
- The police have intensified efforts to arrest the remaining members of the kidnapping syndicate.
