On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, ‘m’ of Igwuruta-Atali. Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th. September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim. The suspects were identified as:
* Hassan Mohammed, ‘m’, 20 years old from Wandigah Town in Mandagali, Borno State,
* Bello Abubakar, ‘m’, 25 years old, from Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State,
* Yusuf Ahmed, ‘m’, 23 years old, from Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.
During interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State, including:
* The Kidnapping of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of Six Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N6,900,000) before killing Nwabueze Nchekwube.
* The Kidnapping of Mercy Chinyere ‘f’ on September 12, 2025′ at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#3,500,000.) before releasing her.
Exhibits Recovered from the suspects include:
* One G-3 Rifle with Breech
Number 10398
* One Magazine
* One Itel Phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim
* Three Short Daggers
* One Jack Knife
* One Stainless Short Knife
According to the PPRO, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspects and exhibits are currently in Police custody. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional operational weapons.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, has commended the diligence, bravery and dedication of the operatives in making these arrests and recovering exhibits.
He noted that the outcome of the operation underscored the Command’s unrelenting commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens of the State, and urging residents to report any suspicious activities to the nearest Police station or other security agencies.