By DESMOND EJIBAS

The Police Command in Rivers has arrested two suspected members of a six-member kidnapping syndicate allegedly involved in the abduction of a resident.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Port Harcourt.

Agabe said the victim was abducted on Sept. 6 near Fidelity Bank, Garrison, Port Harcourt, and later released after an alleged N10.3 million ransom was paid to the kidnappers.

She said that after the abduction, the victim was taken to Igbugulu Waterside, Borokiri area of Port Harcourt, where he was held captive for three days.

“The victim was later released after his relatives allegedly paid N10.3 million ransom to secure his release,” she said.

Agabe said that the matter was reported to the police on Sept. 7, and the command immediately commenced intelligence-led operation.

She said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit subsequently arrested two suspected members of the syndicate aged 24 and 36.

The police spokesperson said the suspects, during interrogation, confessed to their alleged involvement in the kidnap operation.

She said the suspects also disclosed that the gang comprised six members who allegedly used a white minibus during the operation.

“The command has intensified efforts to apprehend the remaining members of the syndicate with a view to bringing them to justice,” she said.

Agabe quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, as urging members of the public to provide credible information on the activities of kidnappers and other violent crimes.

Adepoju assured residents that information provided to the police would be treated with necessary confidentiality.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to deploying intelligence-led operations to disrupt kidnapping syndicates and other criminal networks across the state.

The commissioner also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies to enhance security in the state. (NAN)

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