Police rescue kidnap victim after N10.3m ransom payment in Rivers, arrest two suspects

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers in the Borikiri axis of Port Harcourt and rescued a victim. 

The spokesperson for the command, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, October 5, 2026 said the suspects are members of a six-man syndicate that abducted the man at the premises of a new commercial bank. 

According to the PPRO, the victim was held captive for three days before he was released following the payment of N10.3 million ransom by his relatives.

“The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a six-man kidnapping syndicate involved in the abduction of one Mr Hassan, who is a resident of Rivers State,” the statement read.

"On 7th September 2026, at about 1000hrs, the Command received credible information regarding the kidnap of the victim, who was abducted on 6th September 2026 at the vicinity of Fidelity Bank, Garrison, Port Harcourt. 

"The victim was reportedly taken to Igbugulu Waterside, Borikiri, Port Harcourt, where he was held captive for three days before he was released following the payment of N10.3 million ransom by his relatives.

Upon receipt of the information, operatives of the Command VIOLENT CRIME RESPONSE UNIT (VCRU -AKU) immediately swung into action and commenced intelligence-led operations, which resulted in the arrest of two suspected members of the syndicate.

"The suspects are: one Victor Ifeanyi, male, 24 years, aka “Big Boby”, a native of Aguleri Community, Otuocha LGA, Anambra State, one Aniekan Okon Michael, male, 36 years, aka “Duff Man”, a native of Ikot Ukpor, Essien Udim LGA, Akwa Ibom State.

"Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects confessed to their alleged involvement in the operation and disclosed that the gang comprises of six members who used a white Mini-bus (Keke Bus) during the operation.

“The Command has intensified efforts to apprehend the remaining members of the syndicate and bring them to justice.”

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, psc, mnips, fcai, calls on members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the police in identifying and apprehending criminal elements, assuring that such information will be treated with the necessary confidentiality.

The Commissioner reiterates that the Command will continue to deploy intelligence-led operations to disrupt kidnapping syndicates and other criminal networks across the State, while urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.