Police smash notorious kidnapping gang in Rivers

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Police operatives in Rivers have arrested four suspects allegedly involved in series of kidnappings in the state.

The suspects identified as Usman Dan-Mama (Male, 20 years), a native of Mubi, Adamawa State Abdullahi Kabir (Male, 27 years), a native of Damaturu, Yobe State, Idris Ismaila (Male, 20 years), a native of Taraba State and Mohammed Dalandi (Male, 22 years), a native of Yobe State were arrested following the kidnapping of one Miss Favour Chika of Igwuruta Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Rivers Police Command Spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko revealed this in a statement on Monday said Chika was abducted on 25th February 2026 at about 9:00 a.m. while on her way to her farm.

She said the victim was later released on 2nd March after a ransom of N3million was reportedly paid by her family.

She, however, said acting on credible intelligence and sustained operational efforts, police operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit Emuohia Annex , successfully tracked and arrested the four suspects on the early hours of the day at about 5:20 a.m. along Ipo/Ozaha Farm Road.

Iringe-Koko said the suspects were planning another kidnapping operation when they were arrested.

According to Rivers Police spokesperson, a search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, one cut-to-size single barrel gun and 20 live cartridges

“During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to carrying out several kidnapping operations within the Igwuruta-Ali, Omagwa, Ozaha, Ipo, and Etche axis of Rivers State,” the police spokesperson said.

According to her, the suspects admitted to being responsible for the abduction of one Engr. Okoro Osita and his friend, which occurred on 12th February 2026 along Airport Road, Port Harcourt.

The victims were later released after the payment of a ransom of N3 miilon by their families.

She added that the suspects also confessed to the kidnapping of one Sympathy Agu of Umuka-Mba Etche and one Chioma Njoku of Obiri Etche on 31st January 2026 along Afara/Egwi Road in Etche Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were also released after their families paid a ransom of N3 miilon

The Rivers Police Command spokesperson said efforts are currently ongoing to arrest other members of the criminal syndicate who are still at large.

“The Rivers State Police Command , CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, PSC , mnips , reiterates its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and urges members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information that will assist in combating crime across the State,” she said.