Police in Rivers State, Nigeria, have successfully rescued a 24-year-old woman, Chinyere, and arrested five suspects in connection with her abduction. The kidnapping occurred along the Igwirita–Etche Road, and an investigation was launched after a complaint was filed on October 4. The police received the complaint at approximately 9am, following Chinyere's visit to Port Harcourt from Delta State on October 3.
The Rivers State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju, directed the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in Diobu to investigate the complaint and apprehend those responsible. Police spokesperson ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo outlined the investigation in a statement, revealing that the suspects used online dating platforms to lure victims from Port Harcourt and other locations before kidnapping them.
The five suspects, identified as Gift Okeregwu, 23, Okeregwu Onyekachi, 27, Bright Augustine, 27, Chijoke Nwalozie, 35, and Obinachi Rita, 26, were arrested in connection with the investigation. According to the police, the suspects admitted involvement in Chinyere's kidnapping during questioning and provided information concerning other abductions around Igwirita and Etche.
The police alleged that the suspects used online dating sites to attract victims living both within and outside Port Harcourt. The command presented this method as part of its findings from the investigation, highlighting the modus operandi of the kidnappers. The police did not provide details of the operation that secured Chinyere's release or state whether anyone demanded or paid a ransom.
Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju reiterated the command's commitment to protecting lives and property and bringing perpetrators of kidnapping and other violent crimes to justice. The command advised people to establish the identities of strangers they encounter through online dating platforms before agreeing to meet them in person.
The Rivers State Police Command also urged residents to promptly alert police to suspicious conduct, emphasizing the importance of caution during interactions that begin online. The command's warning was reported by various news outlets, including Galaxy Television and Port City News.
The successful rescue of Chinyere and arrest of the five suspects demonstrate the police command's efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in Rivers State. The investigation and subsequent arrests were made possible through the command's swift response to the complaint and its commitment to protecting the public.
Key points
- Five suspects arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a 24-year-old woman in Rivers State, Nigeria.
- The suspects used online dating platforms to lure victims before kidnapping them.
- The police command advises people to exercise caution when interacting with strangers they meet online.
