The Bayelsa State Police Command has rescued a 42-year-old woman, Esther Chinedu, after nearly one month in captivity.

Chinedu was abducted in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, where she resides and operates a phone and accessories shop.

The victim, an indigene of Ebonyi State, was abducted on July 28, 2026, after suspected kidnappers reportedly stormed her shop.

The suspects allegedly disguised themselves as customers seeking to purchase an item before abducting her.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Adewale, disclosed this on Sunday while briefing journalists on the successful rescue operation.

He said the operation was conducted by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo.

Adewale said the victim was rescued unhurt from a kidnappers’ hideout in Ogobiri Forest, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

According to him, the command received a distress call at about 7 p.m. on the day of the abduction.

He said the command immediately activated its intelligence network to track the perpetrators and secure the victim’s release.

The commissioner said intelligence gathered through digital and local sources provided clues about the kidnappers’ movements.

He said the intelligence also revealed details of ransom negotiations between the suspects and the victim’s family.

According to Adewale, the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million but later reduced the ransom to N20 million.

He added that the suspects reportedly collected N1.5 million from the victim’s husband for “refreshments”.

The CP said VCRU operatives relocated to Ogobiri Forest five days before the final operation.

He said the operatives subsequently intensified surveillance and gradually closed in on the kidnappers’ camp.

Adewale said the police stormed the camp at about 1:45 a.m., rescued the victim and arrested one suspected kidnapper.

The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Mark from Akemfa 1 Community in Yenagoa LGA was arrested during the operation.

The commissioner said the suspect confessed to participating in the abduction and provided details of the gang’s alleged operation.

According to him, the suspects claimed to have visited the victim’s foam-selling shop under the guise of purchasing foam.

“They surveyed the environment and saw that the woman was not sufficiently protected,” he said.

Adewale said the suspects allegedly abducted the woman, placed her in a vehicle and moved her to the riverside.

He said she was subsequently ferried across the river to the kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.

The commissioner said the rescue operation involved personnel from the VCRU, Federal Criminal Investigation Unit and Marine Department.

He commended the officers and men involved in the operation for their commitment and courage.

Adewale particularly praised the operatives who endured difficult riverine conditions while tracking the suspects and working to secure the victim’s release.

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