Nigeria: Police Nab Notorious Kidnapper in Rivers

15 January 2026
Leadership (Abuja)

Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU) of the Rivers State Police have arrested a suspected ring leader of a kidnapping syndicate, Mohammed Ibrahim, in connection with a string of abduction operations for ransom in the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, said Ibrahim, aged 30 years, is a native of Numan local government area of Adamawa State.

Iringe-Koko stated that the suspect was arrested based on credible intelligence while planning to relocate his operational armoury and camp to Agbonchia/Oyigbo Road in Eleme local government area of the state.

She stated that one AK-47 rifle, with breach No. 2125 and two magazines loaded with 36 rounds of 7.62 x 39 mm live ammunition, were recovered from Ibrahim.

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The police image-maker said the suspect and exhibits were currently in police custody, while efforts were on to apprehend other members of his gang and recover additional operational weapons.

A press statement she issued yesterday read: "The Rivers State Police Command has made a monumental breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and violent crimes in the state in line with the commissioner of police's directives.

"On January 10, 2026, at about 1946hrs, Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit, (ACU) Emohua Annex, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted and apprehended Mohammed Ibrahim, a 30-year-old male and native of Numan LGA of Adamawa State, in connection with a string of kidnapping operations for ransom in Rivers State.

"Ibrahim, a notorious kidnapper who has been terrorising the Port-Harcourt International Airport Road, Omagwa, Rivers State, was apprehended by the Operatives as he was planning to relocate his operational armoury and camp to Agbonchia/Oyigbo Road in Eleme LGA.

"A search of the suspect led to the recovery of the following exhibits: One (1) AK-47 rifle, with breach No. 2125 and two magazines loaded with 36 rounds of 7.62 x 39 mm live ammunition.

"During preliminary interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to being the ring leader of a kidnapping syndicate in multiple operations within Rivers State."

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