The Rivers State Police Command says its operatives have apprehended three notorious kidnappers who have been terrorising travellers and motorists along the Port Harcourt-Owerri highway.
The Police say the suspects were implicated in a series of armed robberies and kidnappings, including the recent abduction of a National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member.
Commissioner of Police Mustapha Mohammed made this announcement during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, where he presented the suspects to the media.
He said, “This arrest is part of our intensified efforts to combat criminal activities in this area, which has seen a troubling increase in violent attacks on motorists.”
The suspects have been identified as Blessing Akpelu, alias NTA (20), Precious Ebee (30), and Wisdom Amadi (28), all residents of Egbeda in the Emohua Local Government Area.
They were reportedly under police surveillance due to a significant rise in kidnappings, including the abduction of a corps member and two others in the Elele/Omerelu vicinity of the expressway.
Commissioner Mohammed detailed the timeline of the arrests, noting that the first two suspects were apprehended on October 17, 2024, by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Rivers State Police Command, while Wisdom Amadi, identified as the gang leader, was arrested on October 19, 2024.
All three suspects have confessed to their involvement in kidnappings and related crimes. Their arrests were made possible through intelligence-led policing that tracked their activities.
The police chief indicated that investigations are ongoing to apprehend additional accomplices, recover operational weapons, and fully dismantle their criminal network.
“The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety of all road users on the Port Harcourt-Owerri Expressway. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.”
In a separate incident, the police apprehended a suspected armed robber who attacked a corps member and stole her iPhone. The suspect, identified as Baridam Berebom from Mogho in Gokana Local Government Area, was arrested in possession of an SMG rifle used in the robbery.
Following a distress call regarding the incident, police quickly pursued the armed robbers, leading to Berebom’s capture, while his accomplices managed to flee. The police recovered the stolen phone and the weapon used in the crime.
