Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Gunmen abduct traditional ruler’s police orderly, driver in Rivers

Gunmen had invaded the residence of Cornwell Ihunwo, the paramount ruler of Rumu-Elechi, Nkpolu Orowurokwo, around 8:00 p.m. on Saturday.

• June 23, 2024
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The Rivers State Police Command in Rivers has confirmed the abduction of a popular traditional ruler’s police orderly and driver by suspected kidnappers.

Gunmen had invaded the residence of Cornwell Ihunwo, the paramount ruler of Rumu-Elechi, Nkpolu Orowurokwo, around 8:00 p.m. on Saturday.

The gunmen had invaded the place to abduct the traditional ruler but could not find him.

The hoodlums then took the royal father’s police orderly and driver at gunpoint to an undisclosed location.

The police command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement in Port Harcourt on Sunday that the command’s tactical team had been deployed to rescue the victims.

“The commissioner of police, Olatunji Rilwan, has ordered the swift arrest of the perpetrators to face the full wrath of the law.

“The Octopus Strike Force unit has already commenced a full-scale investigation to ensure the victims regain their freedom unhurt,” she stated.

Ms Iringe-Koko said Mr Disu had visited the scene of the abduction for an on-the-spot assessment.

The chief security officer of Nkpolu Orowurokwo community, Godstime Ihunwo, told journalists that the traditional ruler was unharmed during the incident.

“At about 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, I received a call regarding HRM Ihunwo’s abduction. I immediately rushed to his house on Eagle Island, where I met him.

“Chief Ihunwo told me that the gunmen had taken away his driver and police orderly,” he said.

Mr Ihunwo is the younger brother of Victor Ihunwo, a former chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council.

(NAN)

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