Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu, have successfully arrested 10 suspected kidnappers during a raid on their camps in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Operations, Adepoju Olugbenga, and other top police officials.
The raid targeted a vast bush area near Obiri-Ikwerre Airport, where kidnappers were suspected to be hiding, particularly in the vicinity behind the Adokiye-Amiesimaka Stadium at Igwuruta in Ikwerre local government area of the state. As a result of the operation, more than 12 makeshift tents in camps abandoned by the suspected kidnappers were destroyed.
In a statement to the press, Deputy Commissioner of Police Adepoju Olugbenga explained the motive behind the raid and arrests, stating, “It is a routine exercise. The Police mostly go to vulnerable points, where there are issues of hoodlums trying to disturb the peace of the place. It was observed that within the period, there are issues of hoodlums trying to ambush people going to and coming from the Airport.”
The Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, personally led the effort to ensure the safety and security of the area.
The police command expressed concern over recent activities of suspected kidnappers along the Obiri-Ikwerre-Airport Road axis, operating and returning to their hideouts.
Olugbenga further stated, “We normally go on a show of strength once or twice weekly and we mostly patrol vulnerable points where we feel we are having issues with hoodlums trying to disturb the peace of the state.”
During the early morning raid on Saturday, the police arrested individuals who were found in the area, believed to be involved in criminal activities.
“We combed the area with the Commissioner of Police in the early hours of this morning (Saturday) and we have arrested some people who were hibernating in that area, about 10 of them. We equally have some camps where they have shanties with people resting; many of them have left the place,” added Olugbenga.
