The police command in Rivers State says it arrested a suspected kidnapper identified as Sunday Rufus and rescued a kidnapped victim in the Eliozu-Rumuokoro axis of Port Harcourt in the state.

Agabe Kaborlo, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

She stated that an AK-47 rifle was also recovered from the suspect during the operation on Thursday at about 10:15 p.m., when the command received information that someone had been kidnapped.

“Acting swiftly on the report, the Convoy Patrol Team stationed at Eliozu, sighted the suspected kidnappers and immediately gave them a hot chase towards Rumuokoro, by Eligbolu,” she said.

Ms Kaborlo stated that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, directed operatives of the Special Area Division to swiftly mobilise and intercept the fleeing suspects.

“The coordinated operation resulted in the arrest of one of the suspected kidnappers and the successful rescue of the kidnapped victim, one Mr. Emmanuel, who was subsequently secured for necessary medical attention,” she said.

She explained that the arrested suspect is a native of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Exhibits recovered during the operation include one AK-47 rifle, two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one white tricycle (Keke) with registration number PHC 756 ZY.

She added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang.