Kidnappers chase expatriate to his death in Eleme River, Police recover body

Africa Update gathered that the deceased an expatriate from the Netherlands, was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rivers State Cassava Project Limited.

Confirming the sad incident, the Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, stated  that it occurred on Monday night, January 13, 2025, when Reuben’s vehicle was ambushed by gunmen on the Aleto Eleme Bridge.

During the attack, Reuben lost control of his white Toyota Hilux van, which crashed into the river. He was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle at the time of the incident. Mobile police personnel accompanying him managed to escape unharmed.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, visited the scene alongside the Area Commander of Eleme, Divisional Police Officers from the area, and tactical teams.

The Commissioner condemned the attack as “barbaric” and vowed to ensure the perpetrators were brought to justice.

A search party led by the Command’s Marine Unit successfully recovered both the lifeless body of Mr Reuben and the submerged vehicle. The recovery marked the conclusion of rescue efforts.

Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred as Reuben’s convoy attempted to evade suspected kidnappers along the Eleme section of the East-West Road. The attack caused the vehicle to skid off the bridge and crash into the river.

The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Brian Gokpa, mobilised a rescue team to the scene on Tuesday, enlisting support from the Nigerian Navy, professional divers, and other rescue agencies to assist in the operation.

Gokpa pledged to intensify efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property in the area while calling for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

The incident has highlighted the increasing dangers on the East-West Road, which has become notorious for kidnappings, accidents, and other criminal activities. Vandalism has further worsened the problem, with railings removed from bridges, making the route perilous.

The Rivers State Police Command confirmed that investigations into the attack are ongoing.

“CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju was accompanied by the Area Commander Eleme, DPOs within the Eleme Area Command, and tactical teams of the command already at the scenes. The CP at the scene strongly condemned the attack as “very barbaric” and has ordered a full-scale investigation with the immediate arrest of the perpetrators of this reprehensible act, vowing to bring them to justice,” the statement concluded.