Rivers Police Arrest Two Suspects, Rescue Businessman After Three-Day Kidnap Ordeal

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a kidnapping gang and rescued a businessman identified as Hassan, who allegedly spent three days in captivity before his family paid ?10.3 million for his release.

The suspects, identified as 24 year old Victor Ifeanyi from Anambra State and 36 year old Michael from Akwa Ibom State, were paraded by the police over their alleged involvement in the abduction.

Hassan, who narrated his ordeal in a video released by the command, said he was travelling with his wife and two children when he stopped to buy an item around a garage in Port Harcourt.

According to him, several armed men suddenly emerged from a minibus and attacked him.

He said one of the assailants grabbed him by the neck while two others approached with firearms, including a small pistol and an AK-47 rifle.

The attackers allegedly dragged Hassan and his wife from their vehicle and forced them into the kidnappers’ vehicle.

Hassan said he pleaded with the gang to release his wife because one of their children was still inside their vehicle.

The kidnappers eventually dropped his wife and the younger child she was carrying at a CFC bus stop before driving away with Hassan.

Blindfolded and Taken to an Unknown Location

Hassan said the kidnappers subsequently blindfolded him and drove him to an unknown destination.

“Later, they came and blindfolded me. They drove the vehicle. The next thing I heard was, ‘Oga, we don kidnap you,’” he recounted.

He said he pleaded for his release, but the kidnappers allegedly beat him, took his wristwatch and mobile phone and began making calls to determine whether the route ahead was safe.

“They began to make calls. They asked their friends whether the road was clear,” Hassan said.

According to him, the gang later moved him to another location and told him they had initially been looking for someone else.

He said they indicated that he could be released if their leader discovered that he was not the person they wanted.

The victim said he was eventually forced to walk some distance before the kidnappers contacted a boatman.

A boat later arrived, and Hassan was ordered to board it.

He said the journey continued for several hours before they reached the location where he was held.

‘They Beat Me Until I Couldn’t Cry Again’

Upon arrival, the kidnappers allegedly demanded to know how much money Hassan had in his bank account.

After he told them he had no money, he said the gang severely assaulted him, tied his hands and legs and demanded a ransom from his family.

“They began to beat me. They beat me, beat me, tied my hands and legs. They beat me until I was unable to cry again,” he said.

According to Hassan, the kidnappers initially demanded ?150 million from his family and threatened to kill him if the ransom was not paid.

He said he spent three days in captivity and was given only water during the period.

“That’s why I stayed there for three days. They gave me only water, no food,” he said.

Hassan said additional members of the gang later arrived at the location while some of those who had initially guarded him left.

He alleged that the kidnappers threatened to kill him if he failed to comply with their demands, claiming they had killed other people at the location.

Family Pays ?10.3 Million

While Hassan remained in captivity, his relatives reportedly struggled to raise the ransom.

By the fourth day, he said, his family had raised the money required for his release.

Asked how much was eventually paid, Hassan said ?10.3 million was handed over to the kidnappers.

After the payment, the gang allegedly transported him to the Borokiri waterside area, where he was released with ?6,000 to find his way home.

“From there, they dropped me at Borokiri waterside. They gave me ?6,000 that I should go,” he said.

Hassan added that his brothers had already reported the abduction to the police before his release.

“Before I came out, my brothers had gone to make a complaint to the police. So, when I came out, I still went to make a complaint,” he said.

Suspect: ‘I Was Called For a Job’

During his interrogation, Victor Ifeanyi denied knowing initially that he was being recruited for a kidnapping operation.

Ifeanyi said he was at home on September 4 when someone contacted him about a job.

According to him, the individual had previously mentioned an opportunity to make money through casual work.

He said he was picked up and instructed to sit in the back of a minibus.

As they travelled along Aba Road, several other men allegedly joined the vehicle.

Ifeanyi claimed that he remained inside the minibus while some of the men got out.

He said the group later returned with Hassan and forced him into the vehicle before taking him towards the waterside.

The victim was subsequently transferred to a canoe, according to the suspect.

When questioned by the police about whether he knew the operation involved kidnapping, Ifeanyi answered in the negative.

He said he was frightened after returning home and spent time praying.

Ifeanyi admitted that members of the group later gave him ?50,000 but insisted that he had never previously participated in kidnapping.

“I've not done this kind of thing in my life before,” he said.

He identified one alleged associate as “Fine Boy” and said there were other members whose names he did not know.

Second Suspect Admits Receiving ?1.2 Million

The second suspect, Michael, 36, described himself as a driver and denied being the mastermind of the operation.

He alleged that Victor and his associates organised the movement.

“I'm not the one that planned the plan. It's Victor and his cartel,” Michael told police.

According to Michael, Victor approached him and asked him to drive the group somewhere.

He said he initially told them that he did not have a vehicle, but subsequently obtained one from a friend.

Michael said he drove the group to a location and was instructed to wait.

After about 20 minutes, he claimed, Victor and the others returned with Hassan and ordered him to drive them to the waterside.

“So, I was standing there for like 20 minutes. They came with one man,” he said.

Michael admitted receiving ?1.2 million after the operation, although he maintained that he had not previously participated in kidnapping.

Asked why he accepted the money if he did not know the nature of the operation, he said Victor and another associate brought the money to him the following day.

He identified another alleged associate as “Biggie,” also known as “New Man.”

“Victor was the one that planned the movement,” Michael said.

Police Seek Public Cooperation

The Rivers State Police Command has urged residents to report suspicious activities and criminal incidents promptly to the nearest police station or through the command’s official contact channels.

The command said timely information from members of the public could assist investigators in responding to criminal activities, identifying suspects and rescuing victims.

Police spokesperson ASP Agabe Blessing said members of the public should not delay in reporting incidents.

“Whenever an incident occurs, always do well to report to the nearest police station or contact our numbers that will be displayed on the screen,” she said.

“Your timely information will always assist and aid the police investigation.”

The two suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue into the alleged kidnapping and the wider network behind the operation.