The Rivers State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in the state. According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, the command arrested two suspected members of a six-man kidnapping syndicate. The suspects, Victor Ifeanyi, 24, and Aniekan Okon Michael, 36, were allegedly involved in the abduction of Mr. Hassan, a resident of Rivers State.
The victim was abducted on September 6, 2026, at the vicinity of Fidelity Bank, Garrison, Port Harcourt, and taken to Igbugulu Waterside, Borikiri, where he was held captive for three days. The police received credible information concerning the abduction on September 7, 2026, and commenced intelligence-led operations. The victim was eventually released after his relatives reportedly paid the sum of ₦10.3 million as ransom to the kidnappers.
The police said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had confessed to their alleged involvement in the operation. They also disclosed that the syndicate comprised six members and that they used a white mini-bus, popularly known as Keke bus, during the operation. The suspects' confessions have provided valuable insights into the operations of the kidnapping syndicate.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, has called on members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the police in identifying and apprehending criminal elements. He assured residents that information provided to the police would be treated with the necessary confidentiality. The commissioner also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
The Rivers State Police Command has intensified efforts to apprehend the remaining members of the syndicate and bring them to justice. The command has assured residents that it would continue to adopt intelligence-led strategies in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes. This approach has been yielding positive results, as evident in the recent arrest of the two suspects.
In a related development, the Rivers State Government has sealed 21 unapproved health facilities across four local government areas of the state. The facilities, which included eight hospitals, five maternity centers, and eight diagnostic centers, were shut down during the state's third quarter 2026 inspection and enforcement exercise. Two persons were also arrested in connection with the operation of the facilities.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed that the exercise covered Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, and Etche Local Government Areas. He said only about 20 percent of registered health facilities in the state were complying with the mandatory annual inspection and renewal of their Certificates of Standards. The government has warned operators of unapproved facilities to desist from such activities.
Key points
- The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers and rescued their victim after ₦10.3m ransom was paid.
- The suspects, Victor Ifeanyi and Aniekan Okon Michael, allegedly confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping.
- The Rivers State Government has sealed 21 unapproved health facilities across four local government areas of the state.
