A 35-year-old suspected kidnapper, Victor Ini, has claimed that he joined a kidnapping gang after being promised N40,000 for his role in the abduction of a woman in Rivers State.
Ini, a native of Akwa Ibom State, made the claim during interrogation in a video released on Wednesday by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Blessing Agabe.
The suspect alleged that the gang planned to abduct the woman from her shop, collect money from her and release her afterwards.
He claimed that the woman’s neighbour, identified as Chukwuebuka, allegedly contacted the gang after informing its members that she had money.
Ini said the operation was his first with the group and that he had yet to receive any payment.
He stated, “We went to the woman’s shop to collect money from her, then drop her and leave. Her neighbour, Chukwuebuka, was the one who sent us on the attack.
He told us the man had plenty of money and would give us. It was my first day with them. They had been monitoring her, but it was my first time.”
The suspect further identified other alleged members of the gang as Chukwuebuka, Chinedu, Okwozichi and Evance, adding that he was promised N40,000 for participating in the operation.
Meanwhile, the police said Ini was arrested during an intelligence-led operation launched after the abduction of a woman identified as Loveth.
Agabe said Loveth was abducted by armed men on September 2, 2026, while she was sitting in front of her shop.
According to the PPRO, the suspects fired shots into the air before allegedly forcing the woman into a vehicle and driving away.
She said operatives of the Eleme Police Division subsequently commenced an intelligence-led operation to track the kidnappers, leading to a gun battle and the arrest of Ini.
Agabe stated, “On September 2, 2026, Loveth, while seated in front of her shop, was reportedly accosted by armed men who fired shots into the air before forcefully abducting her and taking her away in a vehicle.”
She added that the police subsequently engaged the suspected kidnappers in an exchange of gunfire, during which Ini was arrested.
The police said a silver-coloured mini Keke bus with registration number RBC 992 XE, Abuja, was recovered from the suspects.
Other items recovered, according to the command, included two locally made pistols, one live ammunition, a mobile phone, two identity cards, two black gowns and a vehicle number plate bearing registration number KRK 528 HG.
The PPRO said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the suspected gang.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, assured residents that the command would continue to protect lives and property and ensure that those involved in criminal activities were brought to justice.
Adepoju warned criminals that the state would not provide a safe haven for them and urged residents to remain vigilant.
The command also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the police in tackling kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.