The police command in Rivers State has arrested a 26-year-old suspect, Goodnews Iberi, for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of Rita Eleonu in the state.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

She said that Eleonu, 25, was abducted from her Rumuekini community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State. 

Ms Iringe-Koko said the incident was reported to the police on December 29, after which an investigation was launched.

According to her, Iberi and four other accomplices lured the victim to Rumuakundu community in the Emohua LGA, where she was kidnapped.

She said, “Iberi and his accomplices, who are still at large, took the victim to their camp in a forest along the East-West Road in Emohua. After contacting the family and collecting a ransom of N210,000, the suspects murdered her.”

She stated that operatives of the command’s anti-cultism unit took over the investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding Eleonu’s disappearance.

Ms Iringe-Koko said that through intelligence-led policing, operatives arrested Iberi at his hideout at about 6:30 a.m. on January 8.

“During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime, providing detailed information about his role and implicating four other suspect who are currently at large,” she added.

She said the suspect later led police operatives to the forest where the decomposing remains of the victim were recovered and deposited at the morgue for autopsy.

The police officer noted that the suspect remained in police custody and efforts ongoing to apprehend other members of the kidnap syndicate.

In a separate development, the police command confirmed the death of a family of six due to suspected generator fumes in Ogale community, Eleme LGA of the state.

Ms Iringe-Koko said the victims were discovered dead in their locked apartment at about 3:00 p.m. on January 11.

She explained that Godwin Ogosu reported that his elder brother, his wife and their four children, who went to bed the previous night, failed to come out in the morning.

According to her, after repeated knocks on the door by co-tenants yielded no response, the matter was reported to the police.

“Operatives from the Eleme Police Division immediately mobilised to the scene and forcibly opened the door. Inside the room, six lifeless bodies were found, including father, mother, three male children, and one female child,” she said.

Preliminary investigations suggested that the deaths were caused by generator fumes.

“The family’s generator was reportedly switched on and placed inside the parlour before they retired to bed,” she disclosed.

Ms Iringe-Koko said the bodies had been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy, while photographic evidence was taken to support ongoing investigations.

Reacting to the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, described the deaths as tragic and advised residents to always place generators in well-ventilated outdoor areas.

He warned that placing generators in sitting rooms, garages, sheds, or enclosed spaces could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and death.

Mr Adepoju stated, “This dangerous practice has claimed many lives. Residents must prioritise their safety and that of their familie.”

(NAN)