Police operatives in Rivers State have arrested three suspected kidnappers who had killed one of their victims, Nwabueze Nchekwube, after collecting N6,900,000 from him.

Police authorities in the state said the operatives from the command acted on a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara in Igwuruta-Atali, and arrested the suspects on September 19 in their hideouts in different locations in Obio Akpor Local Government Area.

The murdered victim, Nchekwube and one Onwuli Jude, were kidnapped on September 14, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali.

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Police spokesperson in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the arrests to newsmen in a statement in Port Harcourt, listed the arrested suspects as 25-year-old Bello Abubakar from Sokoto State; 20-year-old Hassan Mohammed from Borno State and 23-year-old Yusuf Ahmed from Bauchi State.

“During interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the state, including the kidnapping of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing Nwabueze Nchekwube.

“The kidnapping of Mercy Chinyere ‘f’ on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara – a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one Jack knife and one short knife.

“Suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional operational weapons.”