In its efforts to combat crimes within the state, the Rivers State Police command has arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnap of one Mr Chukwudekwu Emmanuel.
This was revealed in a statement on Saturday, April 18, 2026, by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Agabe Kaborlo Blessing.
According to the statement, those arrested were 38-year-old Chinedu Okoro, from Imo State, 32-year-old Okwudiri Njoku, from Ozuzu, Etche LGA of Rivers State, and 25-year-old Onyema Sunday, a native of Ika, in Akwa Ibom State.
Also, exhibit such as one operational motorcycle with registration number AHD 758 VT, was recovered by the police from the suspects.
The police noted that the suspects were arrested while attempting to allegedly kidnap another victim whose name was given as Mr Chisom Nwokolo George, from Anambra State.
Chukwudekwu, a resident of Lagos State, was kidnapped on February 17, 2026, at Etche Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Police, “operatives of the command based at Emohua, leveraging on the technology-driven strategies of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on 14th April, 2026 at about 1300hrs, successfully apprehended three suspected kidnappers linked to the crime.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects specialize in luring unsuspecting victims from different parts of the country through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Tinder, using the images of reputable personalities to gain trust.
“The suspects were apprehended while attempting to kidnap another victim, one Chisom Nwokolo George (male), who was deceitfully invited from Anambra State under the pretext of inviting him for an interior decoration job.”
The suspects were said to have confessed other crimes they committed during investigation. “The suspects confessed to multiple kidnapping operations, including the kidnap of Jennifer Nnaji (female), a resident of Enugu State, on 1st March, 2026, the kidnap of one Lakan Ayodele (male), a resident of Lagos State.
The police assured members of the public that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang leader and other members of the syndicate.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has reassure residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the State.
Adepoju also advised the public to be cautious when dealing with unknown persons online, urging them to always verify identities of persons and companies for job offers, avoid sharing personal information, and inform trusted relations and friends of their movements before meeting any stranger and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
The CP further assured that developments will be communicated as investigations progress.
