Rivers Police Arrest Five Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue 24-Year-Old Woman in EtcheThe Rivers State Police Command has arrested five suspected kidnappers allegedly involved in the abduction of a 24-year-old woman, identified as Chinyere, along the Igwuruta–Etche Road in Rivers State.
The command said the victim travelled from Delta State to Port Harcourt on October 3, 2026, to visit a friend before she was abducted. The police received a report of the incident at about 9 a.m. on October 4.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Diobu, arrested the suspects following directives from the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju.
The suspects were identified as Gift Okeregwu, 23; Okeregwu Onyekachi, 27; Bright Augustine, 27; Chijoke Nwalozie, 35; and Obinachi Rita, 26.
The police said Gift Okeregwu was arrested at his hideout along the Omuoda Pipeline in Allu, Port Harcourt.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping and provided information about other abduction incidents in Igwirita and Etche.
They reportedly disclosed that they lured victims from within and outside Port Harcourt through online dating platforms before abducting them.
The Commissioner of Police reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that those involved in kidnapping and other violent crimes are brought to justice.
The police also urged members of the public to exercise caution when interacting with strangers met through online dating platforms, verify their identities before arranging physical meetings and promptly report suspicious activities to the authorities.
