Police nabs five robbery, kidnap suspects in Rivers

Rivers State Police Command has arrested five kidnap and armed robbery suspects in the state, reiterates its stance on zero tolerance for crime in the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Mustapha Bala, disclosed this in Port Harcourt yesterday while parading the suspects and exhibits recovered from them.

Bala stressed that Command under his watch is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of the state, warning criminals to steer off the state.

Bala noted that operatives of the Anti-Cultism unit of the Command have successfully arrested three suspects who are involved in kidnapping and robbery activities on Port Harcourt-Owerri Roada, adding that, the gang has been on the Police' wanted list.

The CP said: "The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended three notorious kidnap suspects: Blessing Akpelu, Precious Ebee, and Wisdom Oto Amadi following a series of highway robberies and kidnappings along the Port Harcourt-Owerri Expressway. The arrest comes as part of an intensified crackdown on criminal activities along the route, which has been a hotspot for violent attacks on motorists.

"Blessing Akpelu alias NTA ‘m’ 20 years old, Precious Ebee ‘m’ 30 years old, and Wisdom Amadi ‘m’ 28 years old, all natives of Egbeda in Emohua LGA are known for orchestrating roadblocks to trap unsuspecting travellers and have been under Police surveillance after an alarming spike in kidnappings, including the abduction of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member and two others along the Elele/Omerelu axis of the expressway.

"Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang would frequently set up illegal roadblocks at strategic points along the expressway before attacking motorists at gunpoint and taking hostages for ransom. They have confessed to crimes of kidnapping. Their arrest was made possible after the Police traced their whereabouts through intelligence gathered."

He noted that that investigations are still ongoing to arrest remaining accomplices and retrieve their operational weapons.

Furthermore, Bala said the Command has successfully conducted two co-ordinated operations at Elechi Beach and Nanka waterfront areas known for criminal activities, and that the C4i Strike Force (Octopus) which acted on credible intelligence had launched strategic raids in both locations, leading to the arrest of a notorious armed robber, and the recovery of one vehicle, arms and ammunition.

He said: "In the first operation, conducted at approximately 7.00  pm on the 18th of October 2024, the operatives stormed a  hideout in the Elechi Beach axis in Diobu Port Harcourt. Several illegal firearms and rounds of ammunition were seized during the raid. 

In the same swoop, the Police arrested one Baridam Berebom 'm' of Mogho in Gokana LGA. He was arrested with an SMG Rifle with which he and his gang robbed a female NYSC corps member of her iPhone 12.

"The Police swiftly responded to a distress call about the robbery and gave hot pursuit of the armed robbers. The suspect was arrested while other gang members fled. The victim’s phone and the operational weapon were recovered." he concluded.