The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old suspect, Otamiri Prince, over his alleged involvement in a case of kidnapping and rape.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Kaborlo Blessing, the arrest followed a report filed on April 11, 2026, by a 24-year-old woman identified as Miss Thomas Alice, a resident of Eliozu in Port Harcourt.
The victim alleged that she was abducted on January 3, 2026, by a man she met online. She stated that she was lured to Igwuruta, where she was subsequently taken by the suspect and his accomplices to a bush in Ulakwo, Etche Local Government Area. There, she was reportedly assaulted, raped, and dispossessed of her valuables before being released.
The police said operatives promptly launched an investigation upon receiving the complaint, deploying technology-driven strategies introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, which led to the arrest of the suspect.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime. Items recovered from him include an iPhone, a wig believed to belong to the victim, and other valuables.
The Command disclosed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang who are currently at large, adding that the suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, cautioned women and job seekers to be vigilant when engaging with individuals online. He advised against meeting strangers in isolated locations and urged the public to always inform trusted contacts of their movements, verify identities before physical meetings, and prioritise safety at all times.
The police also encouraged residents to report suspicious activities or emergencies through its designated emergency lines, stressing the importance of public cooperation in ensuring security.
