By Deborah Nnamdi
The Rivers State Police Command has rescued five persons abducted by suspected cultists in Emuoha Local Government Area of the state.
The victims — Prince London, Azubuike Kelechukwu, Elizabeth Aniete, Onyebuchi Precious, and London Sampson — were freed unhurt in the early hours of Thursday at Rumudogo 2 Community, Emuoha.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko said the rescue operation, carried out around 1:00 a.m. on December 4 by the command’s Tactical Teams in collaboration with other security agencies and community members, followed swift intelligence action. She added that the victims were taken to the hospital for medical examination, while efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing abductors.
Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju assured that the perpetrators would be brought to justice and urged continued cooperation from residents to enhance security in the state. The incident comes shortly after the abduction of five students of Rivers State University by suspected cultists in the same LGA.
Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command has dismissed viral allegations of torture, organ trafficking, and extrajudicial killings at its Anti-Kidnapping Unit, known as Tiger Base.
A statement issued Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, described the claims as false and aimed at misleading the public. He explained that Tiger Base is a legitimate tactical unit of the Nigeria Police Force mandated to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes in the state — not an illegal detention centre.
Okoye highlighted the unit’s achievements, including the dismantling of several criminal syndicates, attributing recent security improvements in the state to its operations. He insisted that no credible evidence supports the allegations, which he said were part of a smear campaign by criminal elements affected by ongoing police actions.
