The Rivers State Police Command announced the arrest of four suspected herders for alleged involvement in a variety of criminal acts, including kidnapping and cultism in Rivers and surrounding states.
Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), stated this during the suspect parade at the Command’s Headquarters on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Iringe-Koko indicated that the investigation was launched in response to a report filed by the administration of Lujo Heights Homes on January 19, 2024.
She claimed that the report described the disappearance of four firm employees while conducting a normal property inspection in Okocha Community, Igbo-Etche, Etche Local Government Area.
According to her, after repeated attempts to contact the victims, they did not respond.
According to the police image maker, four suspects, Yahaya Bello, Aliyu Usman, Sule Abubakar, and Abdullahi Adamu, were caught after thorough information collecting operations.
She went on to say that during questioning, the suspects admitted to their involvement in the victims’ abduction and the subsequent destruction of the Toyota Sequoia SUV in which they were riding.
The PPRO stated that the victims, who endured a terrifying ordeal in the Etche jungles, described brutal treatment and persistent threats of death unless a ransom of N300 million was paid for their release.
“Investigations found that these individuals are part of a criminal network primarily composed of Fulani persons operating as cattle rearers. They have been involved in a number of kidnappings in Rivers, Delta, and Edo states.
“In Port Harcourt, they had taken up residence in Valley Decision Estate, where they deceitfully persuaded the community to grant them access to the land, ostensibly for protection against land grabbers.
“Aliyu Usman, aged 33 and from Kebbi State, emerged as a key figure in the criminal operations. He had been employed as a security guard at Valley Decision Estate in Rumukwurushi, enabling criminal infiltration. Aliyu had previously been involved in armed robbery.
“Sule Abubakar, aged 25 was brought into the gang by Aliyu with the aim of strengthening their criminal activities in Port Harcourt. During interrogation, Sule confessed to his participation in his first kidnapping assignment in Edo State, alongside his elder brother who is currently at large.
“Abdullahi Adamu, aged 20 from Taraba State, had recently arrived in Port Harcourt and was undergoing training in criminal operations under the guidance of Aliyu.
“Furthermore, Mallam Yahaya, who had been supplying food to the captors, was also apprehended. He admitted to receiving a sum of N470,000 as his share of the ransom.
“During the operations, the police were able to recover two locally-made pistols, two smartphones, and a black Toyota Sequoia belonging to the gang.
She said investigations were currently underway to apprehend other members of the criminal network who are still at large.”
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, the Anti-Cultism Unit successfully arrested a notorious cultist and kidnapper known as Godfrey Odum.
Godfrey was implicated in the abduction of Precious Chukwu, a student of Elechi Amadi Polytechnic.
She stated that the victim was eventually released after being robbed of her belongings.
The command’s spokesperson said Godfrey has confessed to the crime and has provided crucial information regarding the identities of other gang members involved.
However, the Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, has expressed his commendation for the outstanding efforts of the officers of Rivers State Police Command in combatting crime and ensuring the safety of residents.
He advised residents to be careful when hiring security personnel and reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to rid the state of criminal elements.