Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who have been terrorising motorists playing the Port Harcourt -Owerri express road.
The Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Mohammed Bala, disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists at the Command headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Bala stated that the suspects, Blessing Akpelu, Precious Ebee, and Wisdom Oto Amadi, all indigenes of the Egbeda community in the Emohua local government area of the state, were arrested between October 17 and October 19, 2024.
He said: “The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended three notorious kidnap suspects, Blessing Akpelu, Precious Ebee, and Wisdom Oto Amadi, following a series of highway robberies and kidnappings along the Port Harcourt-Owerri Expressway. The arrest comes as part of an intensified crackdown on criminal activities along the route, which has been a hotspot for violent attacks on motorists.
“Blessing Akpelu alias NTA ‘m’ 20 years old, Precious Ebee ‘m’ 30 years old, and Wisdom Amadi ‘m’ 28 years old, all natives of Egbeda in Emohua LGA are known for orchestrating roadblocks to trap unsuspecting travellers and have been under police surveillance after an alarming spike in kidnappings, including the abduction of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member and two others along the Elele/Omerelu axis of the expressway.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang would frequently set up illegal roadblocks at strategic points along the expressway before attacking motorists at gunpoint and taking hostages for ransom.
“The first two suspects were arrested on the 17th of October 2024 by men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Rivers State Police Command, while the third suspect, Wisdom Amadi, who was identified as the gang leader, was arrested at Egbeda on the 19th of October 2024. They have confessed to crimes of kidnapping.
“Their arrest was made possible after the Police traced their whereabouts through intelligence gathered.
“”Further investigations are ongoing to arrest their remaining accomplices, retrieve their operational weapons, and uncover the full extent of their criminal network.
“The Rivers State Police Command assures the public that it remains vigilant in ensuring the safety of all road users along the Port Harcourt-Owerri Expressway. The Command urges citizens to remain alert and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.”
