Police save kidnap victim, catch suspect in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has announced the arrest of a 23-year-old suspected kidnapper named Sunday Rufus. He was caught while trying to escape after police rescued a victim along the Eliozu, Rumuokoro area of Port Harcourt.

The police recovered important items from the suspect. These include an AK-47 rifle and a tricycle, commonly called Keke.

The police said the arrest happened after they received a distress call about an abduction by criminals. This call came on September 24. Officers from the Special Area Division quickly responded and chased the fleeing suspects.

Blessing Agabe, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, shared this news in a statement sent to journalists in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

The statement said, “The Rivers State Police Command has recorded a significant operational breakthrough with the arrest of a suspected kidnapper, rescue of a kidnapped victim and recovery of one AK-47 rifle in the Eliozu, Rumuokoro axis of Port Harcourt.

“On 24th September 2026, at about 2215hrs, the Command received information that someone has been kidnapped.

“Acting swiftly on the report, the Convoy Patrol Team stationed at Eliozu sighted the suspected kidnappers and immediately gave them a hot chase towards Rumuokoro, by Eligbolu.

“In line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, operatives of the Special Area Division swiftly mobilised and intercepted the fleeing suspects.

“The coordinated operation resulted in the arrest of one of the suspected kidnappers and the successful rescue of the kidnapped victim, one Mr. Emmanuel, who was subsequently secured for necessary medical attention.

“The arrested suspect is one Sunday Rufus, aged 23, a native of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.”

“Exhibits recovered during the operation include: One AK-47 rifle, Two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, One white tricycle (Keke) with registration number PHC 756 ZY.

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang,” the statement added.

The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, mentioned that Rivers State would not be a safe place for criminals. He emphasized that the police would keep carrying out intelligence-driven and coordinated operations against kidnappers and other criminal activities across the state.

CP Adepoju praised the officers and operatives who took part in the successful operation for their quick response, bravery, and professionalism. He also urged the public to stay alert and keep giving the police reliable and timely information. He said community cooperation is important in the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.