In its commitment to fight crimes and restore sanity in the state, the Rivers Police Command arrests car snatching gang and two notorious kidnappers
By Jude Nzennaya, Port Harcourt
In a significant move to restore confidence in the security apparatus, the Rivers State Police Command said its men and officers made another remarkable achievement in a swift operation and investigation into the viral video circulating in social media space over an armed robbery incident at Choba area of Port Harcourt on Wednesday October 15, 2025.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Grace Iringe Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), disclosed that the incident which occurred at about 1500hours, involved the snatching of a Toyota Avalon car at gunpoint.
SP Koko explained that through intelligence-led Policing and technical support, operatives of the Command successfully apprehended one of the suspects, identified as Iruo Young, male aged 42 years, at his hideout in Ikoku, Port Harcourt.
She stated that the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime during interrogation, providing detailed information about his involvement in the robbery incident.
Further she said that the suspect is currently in Police custody, and an in-depth investigation has been launched to apprehend the other fleeing suspects, the police has recovered the stolen vehicle, and retrieve the firearms used in the commission of the crime.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) Olugbenga A. Adepoju, has commended the operatives involved in the operation for their diligence and swift response, which led to the suspect’s arrest.
He also expressed gratitude to the public for their support and cooperation in sharing credible information that facilitated the arrest.
CP Adepoju warned that the state will not provide a hiding place for criminals, emphasizing the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the State.
Meanwhile in another operation, the Command says its operatives in a daring operation, have arrested two suspected kidnappers involved in the abduction of a 24-year-old woman (name withheld), on September 21, 2025, about 2030hours in Igbo Etche.
In a statement issued on October 15,2025, Koko disclosed that following on intelligence report on September 22, 2025, operatives of the Command attached to the Special Operations and Intelligence Team (SOIT) swung into action, trailing the suspects to their hideout in Egwi, Etche at 2200hours and arrested the suspects, identified as Ifeanyi Chukwu Alozie, 25 from Okomoko, Etche Local Government Area, residing at Ndimasi Farm Road, Igbo Etche and Miracle Nwimene 25 from Zakpo in Khana Local Government Area, residing at Umuagagu Etche.
She explained that during preliminary interrogation, both suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in the crime, revealing that they lured the victim through a dating site to Igbo Etche, where she was kidnapped.
SP Koko also stated that despite the pressure from Police operatives’ relentless pursuit, the suspects (abductors) managed to collect a ransom of ₦200,000 from the victim’s relatives before releasing her.
“Suspects are currently in Police custody, investigation is ongoing, and efforts are intensified to arrest other suspects at large, while the victim has been debriefed and reunited with her family,” Koko said.
Adepoju commended the bravery and dedication of the Police operatives in apprehending the suspects, assuring the public of the Command’s commitment to ensuring public safety and security and urged citizens to exercise caution when engaging in online dating, highlighting the potential risks associated with such platforms.
