Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have recorded a major breakthrough as Rivers State kidnappers arrested for the gruesome killing of a victim after collecting a ₦6.9 million ransom.

Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed in a statement on Monday that three suspects—Hassan Mohammed (20) from Borno State, Bello Abubakar (25) from Sokoto State, and Yusuf Ahmed (23) from Bauchi State—were tracked down and apprehended by the Anti-Cultism Unit during a midnight sting operation in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas.

The arrests followed the investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali, whose case shocked residents of Rivers State.
According to Iringe-Koko, the suspects confessed to multiple kidnappings, including the September 12, 2025 abduction of Mercy Chinyere, where they collected a ₦3.5 million ransom before releasing her.

Police investigations revealed that the gang earlier kidnapped Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, extorting ₦6.9 million before killing one of the victims despite receiving the ransom.

Recovered exhibits include a G-3 rifle with magazine, an Itel phone belonging to one victim, three short daggers, a jack knife, and a stainless short knife.
Iringe-Koko noted that detectives are pursuing other fleeing members of the syndicate while searching for additional weapons.

In a separate case, the Command also arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl in Port Harcourt on September 6, 2025.

The Rivers State Police Command has urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities as the crackdown on kidnapping gangs continues.