From Victor Edozie, in Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Command said it has arrested 3 suspected kidnappers who specialized in using the social media platforms such Facebook, X, and Tinder to lure their victims .
The State Police Command Public Relation Officer, ASP Agabe Kaborlo Blessing in a Press Statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday , said
Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects specialize in luring unsuspecting victims from different parts of the country through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Tinder, using the images of reputable personalities to gain trust.
Agabe said sequel to the kidnap of one Chukwudekwu Emmanuel, a resident of Lagos State, on 17th February, 2026 at Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, operatives of the Command based at Emohua, leveraging on the technology-driven strategies of the Inspector-General of Police, on 14th April, 2026 successfully apprehended the three suspected kidnappers.
Agabe gave the names of suspects as Chinedu Okoro, a native of Imo State, Okwudiri Njoku a 32 years old native of Ozuzu, Etche Local Government Area and one Onyema Sunday a 25 years native of Ika, Akwa Ibom State.
“Sequel to the kidnap of one Chukwudekwu Emmanuel (male), a resident of Lagos State, which occurred on 17th February, 2026 at Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, operatives of the Command based at Emohua, leveraging on the technology-driven strategies of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, on 14th April, 2026 at about 1300hrs, successfully apprehended three suspected kidnappers linked to the crime, one Chinedu Okoro (male), 38 years, a native of Imo State, one Okwudiri Njoku (male), 32 years, a native of Ozuzu, Etche Local Government Area and one Onyema Sunday (male), 25 years, a native of Ika, Akwa Ibom State.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects specialize in luring unsuspecting victims from different parts of the country through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Tinder, using the images of reputable personalities to gain trust,” she said.
The PPRO said the suspects were apprehended while attempting to kidnap another victim, one Chisom Nwokolo George who she said was deceitfully invited from Anambra State under the pretext of inviting him for an interior decoration job.
Agabe said During investigation, the suspects confessed to multiple kidnapping operations, including:
The kidnap of Jennifer Nnaji, a resident of Enugu State, on 1st March, 2026, the abduction of one Lakan Ayodele (male), a resident of Lagos State.
The PPRO said one operational motorcycle with registration number AHD 758 VT were recovered from the suspected criminals while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang leader and other members of the syndicate.
She said the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, reassured residents of Rivers State of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the State.
She noted that the Police Commissioner also advised the public to be cautious when dealing with unknown persons online and cautioned that individuals should always verify identities of persons and companies for job offers, avoid sharing personal information, and inform trusted relations and friends of their movements before meeting any stranger.
