December 18, (THEWILL) — Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have rescued an abducted woman during a raid on a forest hideout in Emohua Local Government Area of the state, dealing a major blow to a kidnapping gang operating in the area.
The operation was carried out by officers attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex, following credible intelligence on the kidnappers’ location.
Spokesperson of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that two suspected kidnappers were neutralised after a gun duel, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
She said the victim was abducted on Friday, December 5, 2025, along Ozuaha Road in Emohua LGA.
The police swung into action after the victim’s brother reported the incident on December 9 and sought assistance to secure her release.
According to Iringe-Koko, the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of ₦1.2 million, threatening to kill the victim if the demand was not met.
Acting on intelligence, operatives launched a carefully coordinated operation and at about 11:30 a.m. stormed the kidnappers’ forest hideout off Ozuaha Road, where the suspects were found sharing the ransom.
“On sighting the police operatives, the kidnappers, who were heavily armed, opened fire, leading to a fierce exchange of gunshots,” she said.
The police neutralised two of the suspects during the encounter, while others fled the scene with gunshot injuries.
The abducted woman was rescued unhurt, and part of the ransom was recovered. Items found at the scene include a pump-action rifle, five live cartridges, two expended cartridges and one locally made pistol.
Commending the gallantry of the operatives, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
He directed that efforts be intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects, recover the remaining ransom and bring all those involved to justice, while urging members of the public with useful information to assist the police.
The command assured residents of its resolve to sustain aggressive operations against criminal elements and maintain law and order in Rivers State.
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