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Police arrest five suspected kidnappers, recover operational vehicle in Rivers 

By: Zagazola Makama 

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested five suspected kidnappers and recovered their operational vehicle following the abduction of a 35-year-old woman in Rukpokwu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victim, Mrs. Jane Ikechukwu, was abducted at about 9:00 p.m. on July 11 from her shop along SARS Road, Rukpokwu, by armed men operating in a white mini-bus.

Following a report by her husband, Mr. Ikechukwu Ikeora, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) launched an investigation and tracked the suspects using intelligence generated from the kidnappers’ activities.

The operation culminated in the arrest of five suspects during coordinated raids that began on July 17 after the payment of a negotiated ransom into an account allegedly linked to the kidnappers.

The suspects were identified as Owhor Chinedu, 42; Isaac Orkuw, 33; Joe Kamachi Stanley, 21; Maduabuchi Emeka, also known as “Doctor,” 43, all from Omoku, and Isioto Junior Waribok, 30, from Andoni Local Government Area.

Police also recovered a white mini-bus allegedly used by the gang during the kidnapping operation.

The victim was released by the abductors on the same day and was taken to hospital for medical examination and treatment.

Sources said the suspects have confessed to their alleged involvement in the crime during interrogation.

Police added that efforts are ongoing to arrest two other members of the gang still at large and recover the weapons allegedly used during the operation. Investigations are continuing.