• Rivers police have arrested three suspected kidnappers linked to multiple abductions
• The suspects allegedly lured victims through WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Tinder using images of prominent personalities to gain victims’ trust
• Three kidnapped persons were rescued during the operation and the suspects were reportedly caught while attempting to abduct another victim from Anambra

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers accused of luring victims into the state through deceptive online tactics.

Police said the suspects targeted unsuspecting people from different parts of the country through social media platforms, often using the images of prominent individuals to gain trust.

The command also confirmed that three persons who had been held hostage were rescued during the operation.

The spokesperson for the command, Blessing Agabe, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday, April 18.

According to Agabe, the suspects were arrested while allegedly attempting to abduct another victim they had invited from Anambra State with the promise of an interior decoration job.

She added that the suspects had confessed to several kidnapping operations, while efforts were ongoing to track down the gang leader who escaped during the raid.

“The Rivers State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat crimes within the State.

“Sequel to the kidnap of Chukwudekwu Emmanuel (male), a resident of Lagos State, which occurred on 17th February, 2026, at Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, operatives of the Command based at Emohua, leveraging on the technology-driven strategies of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on 14th April, 2026, at about 1300hrs, successfully apprehended three suspected kidnappers linked to the crime.

“They are Hinedu Okoro, aged 38, a native of Imo State, Okwudiri Njoku, 32, a native of Ozuzu in Etche Local Government Area, and Onyema Sunday, 25, a native of Ika in Akwa Ibom State.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects specialise in luring unsuspecting victims from different parts of the country through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Tinder, using the images of reputable personalities to gain trust.

“The suspects were apprehended while attempting to kidnap another would-be victim, Chisom Nwokolo George (male), who was deceitfully invited from Anambra State under the pretext of offering him an interior decoration job.”

During the investigation, Agabe said the suspects also admitted involvement in the kidnapping of Jennifer Nnaji, a resident of Enugu State, on March 1, 2026, and Lakan Ayodele, a resident of Lagos.

Police said one operational motorcycle with registration number AHD 758 VT was recovered from the suspects.

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang leader and other members of the syndicate,” the police spokesperson stated.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, assured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

He urged the public to be careful when interacting with unknown persons online, stressing the need to verify identities before accepting job offers, avoid sharing personal details, and inform trusted relatives before meeting strangers.

The commissioner also encouraged residents to report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or through emergency hotlines.

“Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress,” the statement added.

Five rescued, 13 still missing after Benue bus attack

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that five abducted passengers from a Benue Links bus have been rescued by police while thirteen passengers are still being held by kidnappers after the Makurdi–Otukpo road attack.

The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, said none of the rescued victims has been confirmed as a JAMB candidate.

He also disclosed that rescue teams have been deployed to Otukpo to secure the release of the remaining 13 victims.