Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested five suspected kidnappers over the abduction of a 24-year-old woman, Chinyere, along the Igwirita–Etche Road.

The police spokesperson in Rivers State, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, saying the suspects allegedly lured victims through online dating platforms before abducting them.

According to the statement, the victim travelled from Delta State to Port Harcourt on October 3, 2026, to visit a friend when she was allegedly abducted along the Igwirita–Etche Road.

The police said the command received a complaint about the abduction on October 4, 2026, at about 9 a.m.

Following the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, fcai, operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Diobu, launched an investigation that led to the arrest of the suspects at their hideout along the Omuoda Pipeline, Allu, Port Harcourt.

The suspects were identified as Gift Okeregwu, 23, a native of Okehi Community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State; Okeregwu Onyekachi, 27, also from Okehi Community; Bright Augustine, 27, and Chijoke Nwalozie, 35, both natives of Akukabu Community in Etche LGA; and Obinachi Rita, 26, a native of Rivers State.

Agabe said the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping during investigations and provided information about other abduction incidents in Igwirita and Etche.

She said the suspects also disclosed that they specialised in luring victims from within and outside Port Harcourt through online dating sites before abducting them.

The statement quoted the police as saying the arrests followed the commissioner’s directive to the unit to investigate the case and apprehend those responsible.

“The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command reiterates the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and bringing perpetrators of kidnapping and other violent crimes to justice,” the statement said.

The command urged members of the public to exercise caution when interacting with strangers met through online dating platforms, verify their identities before arranging physical meetings and promptly report suspicious activities to the police. (Daily Trust)