Police rescue 5 kidnapped passengers, 4 others in Rivers

By Okafor Ofiebor/ Port Harcourt

Operatives of Rivers Police Command have rescued five kidnapped passengers and four others while two of their alleged abductors were killed in operations around the state in the last one week.

Nwonyi Emeka, the state commissioner of police mad the disclosure during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State on Monday.

Giving a breakdown of the operations, CP Emeka said on Wednesday 16 August, 2023 the command received information that two men were seen inside a river in Buguma area of the state with suspected kidnaped victims.

He said the operatives mobilized to the scene and the hoodlums on sighting the Police took to their heels, while the two victims were rescued.

He also revealed that on August 18 operatives of the Command’s Rapid Response Team and Hawk team carried out a joint raid at Agbonchia/Oyigbo area of the state during which a man who was kidnapped at Rumuagholu the previous day was rescued.

CP Emeka stated that on Saturday, August 19,2023, at 02:15 am, Rumuji Police Division received information from one Nnamdi, a driver of a transport company in Lagos that about 01:20 am some hoodlums abducted five passengers at Rumudogo junction of Emohua Local Government Council area sectional of East West road.

The Rivers Police Boss explained that operatives of Rumuji Police Division mobilized to the scene, combed the bush around the area and successfully rescue the five kidnapped victims.

CP Emeka also revealed that operatives of command on 18th August rescued a victim kidnapped at Rumukruwashi of Obio/Akpor LGA by four armed men.

He disclosed that a police patrol team and members of local vigilantes later and arrested one Oduenze, while two suspects were neutralized in a gun duel.

He added that on August 15,2023 one Future Wokoma and Gift Eze of Ahoada East Local Government Area who specialized in robbing innocent citizens were arrested based on information about their activities.

The Rivers State Police Commissioner revealed that one pump action gun was recovered from the suspects who, according to him, are the foot soldiers of cult gang leaders,‘General Danger’ and ‘Chiefo.’