POLICE NEUTRALIZES TWO SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS, RESCUE VICTIM

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HOTJIST NEWS

The police in Rivers State have announced that their officers have shot dead two people suspected of kidnapping and have saved a woman who was being held captive on Ozuaha Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The police stated that the suspects were killed after they fired at the officers who raided their hiding place, which was located based on reliable information.

According to the police, the kidnappers were using the money they had collected from the victim’s family when officers from the Anti-Cultism Unit, who received a tip, stopped them.

The spokesperson for the state police, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, shared this information in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Iringe-Koko said two of the criminals fell to the superior firepower of the police, while others fled into the forest with gunshot injuries, leading to the rescue of the victim, whose identity was withheld.

The statement read, “The Rivers State Police Command, in its sustained efforts to combat kidnapping and armed robbery in the state, has recorded a major breakthrough.

“In a daring operation, operatives of the command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit, Emohua Annexe, acting on credible intelligence, successfully rescued a kidnapped female victim of Omademe Community, who was abducted on Friday, December 5, 2025, along Ozuaha Road, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“According to a report by the victim’s brother on December 9, 2025, the abductors had demanded a ransom of ₦1.2 million and threatened to kill the victim if the payment was not made promptly.”

The statement continued that the police swiftly mobilised and executed a carefully planned operation to rescue the victim.

“At about 11:30 am, police operatives, utilising intelligence-led operations, covertly stormed the kidnappers’ hideout in a forested area off Ozuaha Road and met the suspects sharing the ransom.

“Upon sighting the operatives, the heavily armed kidnappers opened fire, leading to a fierce gun battle. The police, displaying bravery and professionalism, neutralised two of the suspects, while others escaped into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

“The victim was rescued unhurt, and part of the ransom was recovered,” the statement added.

Iringe-Koko mentioned that items found at the scene included one pump–action rifle, five live bullets, two used bullets, and one locally made pistol. All of these are now in the hands of the police as the investigation is still ongoing.

In response, the state‘s Police Commissioner, Olugbenga Adepoju, praised the officers for their bravery and hard work, and he was happy about the successful rescue of the victim.

Adepoju told people that the police are committed to keeping the area safe and calm. He asked the public to help the police if they have any real information about the people who ran away.

He also said that the police should speed up their investigation to catch the suspects and get back the money that’s still missing, so that the people who did wrong can be punished.

The statement ended by saying, “The police will keep working hard to make sure that Rivers State is safe and secure for everyone who lives there and visits.”

In recent years, Rivers State has had a lot of kidnappings and other violent crimes, especially on major roads and in rural areas.
Because of this, the police and other security groups have been doing more work to protect people.