- Agency Report
The Police Command in Rivers has arrested a 26-year-old suspect, Goodnews Iberi, for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of Ms Rita Eleonu in the state.
The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalist in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
She said that Eleonu, 25, was abducted from her Rumuekini community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers.
Iringe-Koko said the incident was reported to the police on Dec. 29, after which an investigation was launched.
According to her, Iberi and four other accomplices lured the victim to Rumuakundu community in Emohua LGA, where she was kidnapped.
“Iberi and his accomplices, who are still at large, took the victim to their camp in a forest along the East-West Road in Emohua.
“After contacting the family and collecting a ransom of N210,000, the suspects murdered her,” she said.
She explained that operatives of the command’s Anti-Cultism Unit took over the investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding Eleonu’s disappearance.
Iringe-Koko said that through intelligence-led policing, operatives arrested Iberi at his hideout at about 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 8.
“During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime, providing detailed information about his role and implicating four other suspect who are currently at large,” she added.
She said the suspect later led police operatives to the forest where the decomposing remains of the victim were recovered and deposited at the morgue for autopsy.
The police officer noted that the suspect remained in police custody, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the kidnap syndicate.