Police arrest two suspected kidnappers after N10.3m ransom payment in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a six-man kidnapping syndicate accused of abducting a Port Harcourt resident and collecting N10.3 million ransom.

Operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit VCRU arrested the suspects during an intelligence-led operation.

The Command’s spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.

According to Agabe, the victim was kidnapped on September 6, 2026, near Fidelity Bank in the Garrison area of Port Harcourt.

The kidnappers reportedly took him to Igbugulu Waterside in Borikiri. They held him there for three days before releasing him after his relatives paid N10.3 million.

The police received credible information about the abduction on September 7. VCRU operatives then began an intelligence-led operation to track the suspects.

The operation led to the arrest of 24-year-old Victor Ifeanyi, also known as “Big Boby”.

Ifeanyi comes from Aguleri Community in Otuocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Police also arrested 36-year-old Aniekan Okon Michael, known as “Duff Man”. He hails from Ikot Ukpor in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Preliminary investigations showed that the suspects admitted their alleged involvement in the abduction.

The suspects also told investigators that the gang had six members. They reportedly used a white mini-bus during the operation.

The Command said it had intensified efforts to arrest the remaining members of the syndicate.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, urged residents to provide credible information that could help the police track criminal suspects.

He assured residents that the Command would keep all information confidential.

Adepoju also said the police would continue intelligence-led operations against kidnapping groups and other criminal networks in the state.

He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.