The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a notorious “one-chance” robbery and kidnapping syndicate operating in the state, following a failed attempt to abduct a female victim in Port Harcourt.
The suspects, identified as Uche Samuel, 45, from Omunato Local Government Area of Imo State, and Nkechi Amadi, 42, from Nekede in Imo State, were apprehended after the vehicle used by the gang reportedly veered off the road and got stuck in a ditch at Rumuosi.
According to information made available to journalists, the incident occurred at about 9 p.m. on Friday when a gang comprising two men and two women allegedly attempted to divert a young female passenger through the Rumuekini axis near the flyover. However, their plan was thwarted when the vehicle entered a wrong lane and became trapped in a ditch.
Residents and passersby reportedly intervened, apprehending two of the suspects before handing them over to the police, while the other two gang members escaped.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing-Karbolo, the command said the arrests were made in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, to intensify the crackdown on one-chance operators and other violent criminals across the state.
The police spokesperson disclosed that the suspects had confessed to their involvement in the crime during interrogation, adding that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing members of the syndicate.
The statement further quoted the Commissioner of Police as reiterating the command’s determination to rid Rivers State of one-chance operators and other criminal elements.
“There will be no hiding place for one-chance syndicates or any violent criminal in Rivers State. The Command will continue to deploy intelligence-driven policing and proactive operations to identify, arrest and bring offenders to justice,” the CP stated.
Adepoju also assured residents of the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to assist security agencies in combating crime across the state
