Police arrest three kidnap suspects, rescue victim

The police in Rivers State said they have arrested three suspected kidnappers and rescued one victim, following a major operation in the state.

Blessing Agabe, the police spokesperson in Rivers, told journalists in Port Harcourt on Saturday that the suspects were allegedly linked to the abduction of one Chukwudekwu Emmanuel, still in captivity.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Mr Emmanuel, a resident of Lagos, was reportedly abducted on 17 February in Etche Local Government Area, Rivers, prompting a statewide call for his rescue.

Ms Agabe, an assistant superintendent of police, said the suspects were apprehended by police operatives stationed in Emohua on Tuesday.

“Our operatives arrested the three suspects, aided by technology-driven strategies; they are suspected to be involved in the abduction of Emmanuel,” she said.

She said the suspects were apprehended while attempting to kidnap another victim, Chisom George, who had been lured from Anambra under the guise of a job offer.

“They deceitfully invited George from Anambra State under the pretext of an interior decoration job. They, however, held him hostage after his arrival.

“George was rescued during the operation by police operatives,” she added.

Ms Agabe said that the suspects specialised in luring innocent victims through social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Tinder.

According to her, the suspects used images of reputable personalities to gain trust and deceive unsuspecting victims.

The spokesperson said that during interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to multiple kidnappings across different states in the country.

She also listed other victims allegedly kidnapped by the syndicate from Enugu and Lagos states.

“The command has launched a manhunt to arrest the fleeing gang leader and other members of the syndicate, to bring them to justice,” she said.