The Rivers State Police Command has successfully neutralised a sophisticated kidnap syndicate that specialised in luring unsuspecting victims to the State under the guise of lucrative employment opportunities.
The breakthrough follows a series of intelligence-led operations by operatives based in Emohua, leveraging the technology-driven security strategies championed by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The investigation was triggered by the abduction of Mr Chukwudekwu Emmanuel, a Lagos State resident, who was kidnapped on 17th February 2026, in the Etche Local Government Area.
Following a meticulous trail, police operatives intercepted the suspects on 14th April 2026, while they were in the process of executing yet another abduction. The intended victim, Mr Chisom Nwokolo George, had been deceitfully invited from Anambra State under the pretext of an interior decoration contract.
In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Agabe Blessing, the apprehended suspects were identified as:
Chinedu Okoro (38), a native of Imo State; Okwudiri Njoku (32), a native of Ozuzu, Etche LGA; and Onyema Sunday (25), a native of Ika, Akwa Ibom State.
Preliminary investigations have revealed a chillingly modern approach to crime. The gang utilised social media platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Tinder, to scout for targets. To gain the trust of their victims, the suspects allegedly used the images of reputable personalities to create an air of legitimacy around their fraudulent job offers.
Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to a string of high-profile kidnappings, including:
The abduction of Jennifer Nnaji from Enugu State on 1st March 2026; and The kidnap of Lakan Ayodele, another resident of Lagos State.
Law enforcement officers recovered an operational motorcycle, bearing registration number AHD 758 VT, used by the gang during their activities.
While celebrating the arrests, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, emphasised that the hunt continues for the gang’s fleeing leader and remaining accomplices.
The Commissioner urged Nigerians to exercise extreme “digital vigilance.” He advised the public to rigorously verify the identities of persons or companies offering employment online and to refrain from sharing sensitive personal information with strangers.
“The safety of lives and property remains our paramount priority,” CP Adepoju stated. “We appeal to individuals to always inform trusted relatives of their movements and to verify all invitations before meeting anyone encountered through social media.”
The suspects remain in custody as the Command concludes its investigations ahead of formal prosecution.
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