The police command in Rivers State has arrested five suspected kidnappers following credible intelligence on their operations and hideouts.

Spokesperson for the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, stated that operatives also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the suspects.

She stated that the suspects were responsible for multiple kidnappings in Rivers and the recent killing of the chief security officer (CSO) of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

The arrested suspects were identified as Bello Amadu, 35; Mohammadu Bello, 30; Adamu Musa, 30; Suleman Umar, 26; and Abubakar Mohammed, 22.

According to Ms Iringe-Koko, the operation lasted about eight hours before the alleged kidnappers were apprehended.

“The suspects were arrested following a series of kidnapping incidents in Rukpokwu, Igwuruta, Omagwa, and Etche communities, which prompted the anti-kidnapping unit of the command to take swift action,” she stated.

She added that acting on actionable intelligence, police operatives conducted a coordinated raid in the communities, leading to the suspects’ arrest on Saturday

Ms Iringe-Koko listed arms recovered from the suspects to include two AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, 66 rounds of live ammunition, and 10 live cartridges.

Others are three locally made pistols and several mobile phones and SIM cards.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to committing multiple murders, including the brutal killing of the CSO of Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium and his son. They are currently in police custody and are cooperating with investigators,” Ms Iringe-Koko added.

The police spokesperson noted that efforts were ongoing to uncover details of other crimes committed by the syndicate and to apprehend other fleeing members.  

(NAN)