The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, Goodnews Iberi, in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a 25-year-old woman, Rita Special Eleonu, whose remains were recovered from a forest in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.
Iberi, a native of Rumuakunde Community in Emohua LGA, was arrested by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex, following a distress report filed on December 29, 2025, by the victim’s brother.
Police spokesperson Grace Koko revealed that on December 13, 2025, the suspect and four accomplices, who are currently at large, allegedly lured Eleonu from her community in Rumuekini, Obio/Akpor LGA, to the Rumuakunde axis of Emohua, where she was kidnapped. She was later taken to a forest along the East/West Road in Emohua.
The suspects reportedly collected a ransom of ₦210,000 from the victim’s family before killing her.
Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives arrested Iberi on January 8, 2026, at about 6:30 a.m. at his hideout. During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to his involvement in the crime and implicated four other accomplices.
According to the police, Iberi led operatives to the forest where the victim’s decomposing remains were recovered. The remains have since been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) morgue for autopsy.
The suspect is currently in police custody as investigations continue, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining members of the syndicate.
Commending the operatives for their diligence and swift response, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, urged members of the public to continue to trust and support the police with timely and credible information to aid crime-fighting efforts across the state.
He also called on residents to remain calm and vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
