Five Arrested in Rivers for Kidnapping Victim from Dating Site

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five people for kidnapping a young woman. They rescued the 24-year-old along the Igwirita, Etche Road in Rivers State.

On Tuesday, PUNCH Metro learned that the woman came from Delta State to Port Harcourt to visit a friend. That was when the suspects attacked and took her away to an unknown place.

The police say the suspects are involved in many crimes. They lure victims using online dating sites before kidnapping them.

Blessing Agabe, who speaks for the State Police Command, confirmed the arrests and the rescue in a statement sent to journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. Agabe is an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

The police started their investigation after a complaint about the kidnap was filed. The Commissioner of Police ordered the team to find the kidnappers.

Agabe's statement said, “The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five suspected kidnappers allegedly involved in the abduction of a 24-year-old woman, one Chinyere, along the Igwirita, Etche Road in Rivers State.

“On October 4, 2026, at about 0900 hours, the command received a complaint that one Chinyere had been kidnapped.

“The victim had reportedly travelled from Delta State to Port Harcourt on October 3, 2026, to visit a friend when she was abducted along the Igwirita, Etche Road.

“Following the directives of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, upon receipt of the complaint, operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, Diobu, immediately swung into action and arrested the perpetrators of this crime.”

The suspects are Gift Okeregwu, 23, from Okehi Community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. He was arrested at his hideout along the Omuoda Pipeline in Allu, Port Harcourt. The others are Okeregwu Onyekachi, 27, also from Okehi Community; Bright Augustine, 27, from Akukabu Community; Chijoke Nwalozie, 35, from Akukabu Community; and Obinachi Rita, 26, from Rivers State.

During the investigation, the suspects admitted to kidnapping Chinyere. They also revealed details about other kidnappings in Igwirita and Etche.

The suspects explained that they used online dating sites to lure victims from Port Harcourt and beyond before abducting them.

The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, said the police are dedicated to protecting lives and property. They will also ensure that those involved in kidnapping and other violent crimes face justice.

CP Adepoju advised the public to be careful when dealing with strangers they meet on dating platforms. He said they should verify the identities of these people before meeting in person and report any suspicious activities to the police.