The Nigeria Police Force in Rivers State has arrested a suspected kidnapper and recovered two AK-47 rifles following a foiled abduction attempt in Port Harcourt.
Police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed the development on Wednesday, April 1, stating that the operation was triggered by a distress report from a resident, identified as Fadi Nasser, who narrowly escaped being kidnapped.
According to the police, the incident occurred in the early hours of March 20 along Woji Road in the Government Reserved Area, where armed men reportedly invaded the victim’s residence and opened fire in an attempt to abduct him. The victim, however, managed to escape unharmed.
Iringe-Koko explained that the victim’s quick escape enabled officers to respond swiftly to the scene, where a mobile phone believed to belong to one of the attackers was recovered.
“The mobile phone provided a significant lead in our investigations,” she said, noting that the device was tracked using technical intelligence.
This breakthrough led to the arrest of a suspect identified as Joseph Abibo, who is believed to be a member of the kidnapping gang.
Further interrogation of the suspect led operatives to the group’s hideout, where they reportedly came under heavy gunfire from other gang members.
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Police engaged the suspects in a gun duel, forcing six of them to flee the scene into a nearby river, reportedly with gunshot wounds.
A subsequent search of the hideout led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and 108 rounds of ammunition.
The police said a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks in the state.
Iringe-Koko urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid ongoing investigations.
The incident highlights the persistent threat of kidnapping for ransom across parts of Nigeria, where criminals increasingly target individuals from various walks of life, including students, professionals, and religious leaders.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding lives and property, assuring the public that operations against criminal elements will continue.