The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a six-man kidnapping syndicate allegedly responsible for abducting a resident of Port Harcourt and collecting ₦10.3 million in ransom from his family.
The victim, identified as Mr Hassan, was kidnapped on September 6, 2026, near Fidelity Bank in the Garrison area of Port Harcourt before being taken to Igbugulu Waterside in Borikiri, where he was held captive for three days.
According to the police, Hassan was eventually released after his relatives paid the ransom demanded by his abductors.
The command’s spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Monday, October 5, explaining that intelligence-led investigations led to the identification and arrest of two suspects.
Police Identify Two Kidnap Suspects
The arrested suspects were identified as 24-year-old Victor Ifeanyi, popularly known as “Big Boby”, and 36-year-old Aniekan Okon Michael, also known as “Duff Man”.
Ifeanyi is from Aguleri in Anambra State, while Michael hails from Ikot Ukpor in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
According to Agabe, the command received information about the kidnapping on September 7, prompting operatives of its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU-AKU) to launch an intelligence-led investigation.
The operation subsequently resulted in the arrest of the two men suspected of participating in the abduction.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects had confessed to their alleged involvement in the crime.
The suspects reportedly disclosed that the kidnapping syndicate comprised six members who used a white minibus, commonly referred to as a Keke bus, during the operation.
Family Paid ₦10.3m to Secure Victim’s Release
Investigators said the victim was abducted near Fidelity Bank in Garrison and transported to Igbugulu Waterside, where he remained in captivity for three days.
His relatives reportedly paid ₦10.3 million before the kidnappers released him.
Although some initial reports described the operation as a police rescue, the command’s account indicates that Hassan had been released following the ransom payment, while the arrests resulted from subsequent police investigations.
Authorities have not announced the recovery of the ransom money.
Police Launch Manhunt for Four Other Suspects
The Rivers State Police Command said efforts were underway to track down the four remaining suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate.
Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju urged residents to provide credible information that could help security operatives identify and arrest criminal elements operating across the state.
He assured members of the public that information provided to the command would be treated confidentially.
Adepoju also reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained operations against kidnapping and other violent crimes in Rivers State.
Investigations are ongoing as police continue their search for the remaining suspects.
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