Police bust kidnap gang, victim killed after paid ransom 

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers allegedly involved in multiple abductions, including the murder of one victim after collecting a N6.9 million ransom.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) from Borno State, Bello Abubakar (25) from Sokoto State, and Yusuf Ahmed (23) from Bauchi State.

The arrests followed an investigation into the kidnapping of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali, who was reportedly killed after his abductors collected ransom. The suspects also confessed to abducting Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, collecting ₦3.5 million before releasing her.

Iringe-Koko said, “On August 26, the Rivers State Police Command received a distress report of Humphrey Wagbara’s abduction. Acting on the information, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit arrested the suspects in a coordinated operation on September 19 at Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre LGAs.”

Recovered items include a G-3 rifle, three short daggers, a jack knife, and one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara. The suspects remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate.

The Command also announced the arrest of a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl in Port Harcourt on September 6.