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Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three notorious kidnappers who have been terrorising travellers and motorists along the Port Harcourt-Owerri highway.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Bala, disclosed this on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 while parading the suspects and others at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt.
According to the CP, the suspects are behind a series of armed robberies and abductions in the area, including the recent kidnapping of a National Youth Service Corps member.
The police boss said the gang would frequently set up illegal roadblocks at strategic points along the expressway before attacking motorists at gunpoint and taking hostages for ransom.
“The Rivers State Police Command, under my leadership, is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of the state. Today, we have successfully apprehended several suspects involved in various criminal activities across the state, and we are here to present them before you,” the CP stated.
“The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended three notorious kidnap suspects, Blessing Akpelu, Precious Ebee, and Wisdom Oto Amadi following a series of highway robberies and kidnappings along the Port Harcourt-Owerri Expressway.
“The arrest comes as part of an intensified crackdown on criminal activities along the route, which has been a hotspot for violent attacks on motorists.
“Blessing Akpelu alias NTA ‘m’ 20 years old, Precious Ebee ‘m’ 30 years old, and Wisdom Amadi ‘m’ 28 years old, all natives of Egbeda in Emohua LGA are known for orchestrating roadblocks to trap unsuspecting travellers and have been under police surveillance after an alarming spike in kidnappings, including the abduction of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member and two others along the Elele/Omerelu axis of the expressway.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang would frequently set up illegal roadblocks at strategic points along the expressway before attacking motorists at gunpoint and taking hostages for ransom.
“The first two suspects were arrested on the 17th of October 2024 by men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Rivers State Police Command while the third suspect, Wisdom Amadi, who was identified as the gang leader was arrested at Egbeda on the 19th of October 2024. They have confessed to crimes of Kidnapping. Their arrest was made possible after the Police traced their whereabouts through intelligence gathered.
“Further investigations are ongoing to arrest their remaining accomplices and retrieve their operational weapons as well as to uncover the full extent of their criminal network.
“The Rivers State Police Command assures the public that it remains vigilant in ensuring the safety of all road users along the Port Harcourt-Owerri Expressway. The Command urges citizens to remain alert and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station .
In another development, the command successfully conducted two coordinated operations in the Elechi Beach and Nanka waterfront areas, targeting criminal hideouts believed to be hubs for illegal activities.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the C4i Strike Force (Octopus) launched strategic raids in both locations, leading to the arrest of a notorious armed robber, and the recovery of one vehicle, arms and ammunition,” the commissioner said.
“In the first operation, conducted at approximately 7 pm on the 18th of October 2024, the operatives stormed a hideout in the Elechi Beach axis in Diobu Port Harcourt.
“Several illegal firearms and rounds of ammunition were seized during the raid. The items recovered include an English revolver pistol with thirty-five rounds of 8.1mm live ammunition and one Excam Hialeah pistol with two rounds of 9mm live ammunition. Suspects evaded arrest by fleeing into the nearby river.
“The second operation took place shortly afterwards at a suspected criminal den in the Nanka waterfront area of Diobu, Port Harcourt where a blue Toyota Corolla with Registration number BDG 44 HE, belonging to one Iviuboosun Usanavi Okuru of no 24 Ada Williams which was robbed at gunpoint along education bus-stop was recovered.
“In the same swoop, the Police arrested one Baridam Berebom ‘m’ of Mogho in Gokana LGA. He was arrested with an SMG Rifle with which he and his gang robbed a female NYSC corps member of her iPhone 12.
“The Police swiftly responded to a distress call about the robbery and gave hot pursuit of the armed robbers. The suspect was arrested while other gang members fled. The victim’s phone and the operational weapon were recovered.
“The Rivers State Police Command is actively pursuing all available leads to track down other individuals responsible for the illegal activities in these areas. Investigations are ongoing, and we are confident that all those behind these criminal networks will be apprehended soon.
“We are calling on members of the public to provide any information that could assist in the capture of these criminals. The recovery of these arms and a stolen vehicle represents a significant step in curbing the illegal possession of firearms in the state and a resolve to ensure that car thieves do not go scot-free.
“We remain committed to maintaining peace and security across all neighbourhoods and will continue to carry out targeted operations to eliminate criminal activities.
“We want to assure the good people of Rivers State that the command remains resolute in its efforts to protect lives and property. We urge members of the public to continue to cooperate with the police by providing timely and credible information.
“Together, we can make Rivers State a safer place for all. Let me also take this opportunity to remind everyone that all suspects will be charged to court, and we will ensure that due process is followed, and justice is served.”