Police catch two kidnappers after family pays ₦10.3m ransom in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers in the Borikiri area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The police say the suspects are part of a six-man gang that kidnapped a woman near a new bank in the city and kept her for three days.

The family of the victim paid a ransom of ₦10.3 million before the police moved in to catch the criminals.

Blessing Agabe, the Command’s spokesperson, shared this information in a statement on Monday in Port Harcourt.

Agabe mentioned that after receiving a distress call, the police’s Violent Crime Response Unit acted quickly and raided the kidnappers' hideout near a waterfront.

The statement reads, "The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a six-man kidnapping gang involved in the abduction of one Mr Hassan, a resident of Rivers State."

"On 7th September 2026, around 10:00 AM, the Command got credible information about the kidnapping of the victim, who was taken on 6th September 2026 near Fidelity Bank, Garrison, Port Harcourt."

"The victim was taken to Igbugulu Waterside, Borikiri, Port Harcourt, where he was held for three days until his family paid ₦10.3 million for his release."

"After receiving the information, the operatives of the Command Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU -AKU) acted swiftly and began intelligence-led operations, leading to the arrest of two suspects from the gang."

The suspects are identified as Victor Ifeanyi, a 24-year-old from Aguleri Community, Otuocha LGA, Anambra State, also known as "Big Boby"; and Aniekan Okon Michael, a 36-year-old from Ikot Ukpor, Essien Udim LGA, Akwa Ibom State, who goes by "Duff Man."

"Initial investigations showed that the suspects admitted to their roles in the kidnapping and said the gang has six members who used a white mini-bus (Keke bus) during the operation."

The police are working hard to find the other members of the gang and bring them to justice, Agabe added.

The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, urged the public to share useful information to help the police catch criminals, assuring that such tips will be kept confidential.

Adepoju emphasized that the police will keep using intelligence-led operations to break up kidnapping gangs and other criminal activities in the state, while also asking residents to stay calm and work with security agencies.