The Rivers State Police Command has made significant progress in an earlier report regarding the unfortunate kidnap and subsequent murder of one Hope Georgewill, the Chief Executive Officer of HMG Attitude Ltd, who was abducted alongside two others on March 26, 2025, along the Cotton Channel, Bakana River, by a gang of notorious sea pirates led by one Preye Ngian-Ngian ‘M’, a native of Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State.
Despite a ransom payment of Two Million Naira (₦2,000,000) made to the kidnappers, the body of the deceased was later recovered and deposited at the morgue.
Following relentless investigative efforts and intelligence led policing, on April 3, 2025, at about 0730hrs, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua, in collaboration with intelligence gathered from two earlier arrested suspects in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, launched a tactical operation on the kidnappers’ hideout located in a creek off the Bonny Waterway.
Upon arrival at the hideout, the operatives came under heavy gunfire from the hoodlums. The team responded with decisive force, and in the ensuing exchange, two of the suspects were fatally wounded, while others fled the scene with varying degrees of injuries.
The two initial suspects who led the team to the location attempted to escape during the melee but were later apprehended with gunshot wounds.
During a continued combing of the creek, the following exhibits were recovered:
One operational speedboat
One 80-horsepower and one 70-horsepower outboard engine, respectively
The deceased’s mobile phone (SIM card removed)
One live cartridge
Food supplies used by the kidnappers
All four wounded suspects were immediately transported to the Police Clinic for emergency treatment. However, upon arrival, the attending medical officer confirmed them dead on arrival. Their remains have since been deposited for autopsy.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, has commended the men of the command as this development marks a significant breakthrough in the continued effort to rid our waterways and communities of criminal elements. He stated that the Rivers State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the state.
Further investigations are ongoing, and the public will be updated with any new developments.
SP GRACE IRINGE-KOKO, ANIPR,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND
April 22, 2025
