Rivers Police Arrest Suspected Kidnapper, Recover Victim’s Body in Forest

 Rivers Police Arrest Suspected Kidnapper, Recover Victim’s Body in Forest

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a 26-year-old man, Goodnews Iberi, in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a 25-year-old woman, Rita Special Eleonu.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, the arrest followed a distress report filed on December 29, 2025, by the victim’s brother, whose name was withheld.

According to the police, investigations revealed that on December 13, 2025, Iberi and four accomplices—currently at large—allegedly lured the victim to the Rumuakunde axis of Emohua Local Government Area, where she was abducted. She was subsequently taken to a forest along the East–West Road in Emohua. The suspects reportedly collected a ransom of ₦210,000 from her family before killing her.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua annex, arrested Iberi on January 8, 2026, at about 6:30 a.m. at his hideout.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to the crime and implicated four other members of the syndicate. He also led police to the location where the victim’s remains were recovered. The body has been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) mortuary for autopsy.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the other suspects involved.

Commending the operatives for their swift and coordinated action, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, urged members of the public to continue to support the police with timely and credible information to aid crime-fighting efforts.

He further called on residents to remain calm and vigilant, and to report suspicious activities that could assist in the arrest of the remaining members of the syndicate.