The Rivers State Police Command reported on Thursday that it had detained four people for their suspected role in the abduction in Okocha Community, Igbo-Etche, in the Etche Local Government Area of the State.
Following a complaint by Lujo Heights Homes management about the disappearance of some workers during a field inspection, the police made the arrests.
The state command's spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday that the suspects confessed to abducting four staff members of the company during questioning.
Iringe-Koko added that the suspects terrorized their victims, threatening to kill them and demanding N300m for their release.
Investigations showed that the suspects were part of a criminal group posing as herders, carrying out various kidnappings in Rivers and other states in the Niger Delta.
She said, “The Rivers State Police Command continues to show its strong commitment to fighting kidnapping in the region. In a recent operation, five individuals suspected of various criminal activities, including kidnapping and cultism, were successfully arrested.
“The investigation commenced after a report by Lujo Heights Homes on January 19, 2024.
The report detailed the disappearance of four staff members during a routine property inspection in Okocha Community, Igbo-Etche, Etche Local Government Area. Despite repeated attempts to establish contact, there was no response from the missing individuals.
“Through careful intelligence efforts, the police apprehended four suspects believed to be linked to the incident.”
Giving the ages of the suspects as between 20 and 33, the police spokesperson added, “The arrested individuals have been identified as Yahaya Bello, Aliyu Usman, Sule Abubakar, and Abdullahi Adamu.
“During questioning, these suspects admitted to being involved in the abduction of the victims and the subsequent destruction of the Toyota Sequoia SUV they were travelling in.
“The victims, who endured a terrible experience in the forests of Etche, recounted being subjected to inhumane treatment and constant threats of death unless a ransom of N300m was paid for their release.
“Investigations revealed that these individuals are part of a criminal network predominantly comprising Fulani individuals operating under the guise of cattle rearers. They have been engaged in a series of kidnappings across Rivers, Delta, and Edo states.”
The statement noted that the suspects resided in Valley Decision Estate in Port Harcourt, the state capital, “where they deceitfully convinced the community to grant them access to the land, purportedly for protection against land grabbers.”
“Aliyu Usman, aged 33 and hailing from Kebbi State, emerged as a central figure in the criminal operations. He had been working as a security guard in Valley Decision Estate, Rumukwurushi, facilitating the infiltration of criminals. Aliyu has a previous history of involvement in armed robbery.
Sule Abubakar, aged 25, was brought into the group by Aliyu to make their illegal activities stronger in Port Harcourt. When questioned, Sule admitted to being involved in his first kidnapping job in Edo State, with his older brother who is currently on the run.
Abdullahi Adamu, aged 20, from Taraba State, had recently come to Port Harcourt and was being trained in criminal activities under the guidance of Aliyu.
Additionally, Mallam Yahaya, who had been providing food to the kidnappers, was also captured. He confessed to receiving N470,000 as his share of the ransom,” she said.
Iringe-Koko also mentioned that the officers found two locally-made guns, two smartphones, and a black Toyota Sequoia that belonged to the group during the operations.
“Authorities are currently working to capture other members of the criminal network who are still on the loose,” she added.
