Eight kidnap suspects arrested, six victims rescued in Rivers
Eight males suspected to be herdsmen terrorising the Omoku-Ahaoda area of the East-West Road in Rivers State in kidnapping and other criminal activities have been apprehended, while six of their victims were rescued by security agencies in Rivers State.
The police said the feat was achieved when the joint operatives stormed their hideout in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state.
Also, the joint team arrested two suspected bombers with four dynamites and other Improvised Explosives Device enablers in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Adepoju confirmed the death of some vandals who attempted to blow up a pipeline in Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
He stated, “Over the past week, the joint efforts of the security agencies in Rivers State have amongst other successes thwarted attempts by miscreants to vandalise pipeline which led to the death of the vandals in the process of trying to detonate a pipeline as a result of the quick response of the state security agencies at Allu- Rumuekpe in Ikwerre LGA on 16 March 2025.
“In another case of anti-criminal activities in the state, the men of the security forces stormed the hideout of kidnappers along Omoku Road in Ahaoda East LGA on the 21 March 25 at about 0710 hours where eight male suspects were arrested, and six male victims were rescued.
“Items recovered during the arrest include two English-made pump action guns, two locally made pistols, four locally made single-barrelled guns with assorted rounds and cartridges, three Q-link motorcycles, and communication equipment amongst other items.
“Another case of criminality was voided in Onelga LGA on 19 March 2025, where two suspects were arrested with four dynamites, four switches and detonating pods and other Improvised Explosive Device enablers.
“This is in addition to the destruction of 30 illegal refining sites, 55 ovens, 20 reservoirs, 50 dugout pits, 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil and about 10,000 litres of illegally refined AGO which were handled in line with extant regulations.”
Adepoju commended the ‘Joint Patrol Operations’ conducted by the Police, the Armed Forces, and other sister agencies, who he said had diligently executed their mandate to support the objective of the state of emergency in Rivers State.
“Our collective effort has been instrumental in sustaining the peace and calm currently enjoyed in our dear state. It is imperative to emphasise that this phase of security activities is a necessary measure aimed at preventing any potential breakdown of law and order,” he explained.
While noting that a State Operations Room had been established to provide real-time surveillance and facilitate rapid response to security threats within the state, he announced the commencement of a one-week targeted enforcement operation to impound vehicles operating without registered number plates and those displaying improperly affixed or altered plate numbers.
“Such violations facilitate criminal activities. Vehicle owners in non-compliance are advised to utilize this grace period to ensure full compliance with vehicle registration requirements,” Adepoju said.
He further said the proactive policing strategy employed is aimed at stemming a situation that could have been exploited by troublemakers to plunge the state into insecurity and chaos, noting that “It is a temporary phase and in due time, we will all witness a more peaceful and secured state.”
