Police Nab 165 Kidnap Suspects In Rivers

Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry (left) listening to House Committee chairman on Local Government, Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, during the sitting of the House, yesterday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

A total of 165 kidnap and armed robbery suspects have been arrested in Rivers State between October and November this year, the state Police Commissioner, Mr Suleiman Abba, has said.

The arrests which were made during a joint operation of Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and the police according to Mr Abba-led to the recovery of 94 assorted illegal fire arms within the same period.

Making the revelation during a chat with journalists, Monday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Police Commissioner said the command also foiled 42 robbery operations and 16 kidnap cases in the state.

According to him, over five pipeline vandals and five drug dealers were equally arrested within the period under review, pointing out that seven out of those arrested had already been charged to court.

The police commissioner declared the readiness of the command to beef up security in the state during the festive period, while assuring residents of the state of crime-free ember months and New Year celebrations.

Abba reiterated the command’s continuous collaboration and networking with other security agencies, especially the JTF to rid the state of hoodlums.