The Rivers State Police Command successfully rescued a prominent hotelier in Port Harcourt who was kidnapped and held for ransom.

The victim, who endured a harrowing experience, was released after his family paid a hefty N25 million ransom.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, revealed the details of the rescue during a press briefing in Port Harcourt.

He stated, “The victim was kidnapped in his house, but the family did not inform the police at the initial time. It was after a ransom of N25m paid in dollars was given to them, and the criminals refused to release the victim that the family contacted the police.”

The hotelier, well-known in Port Harcourt, had been shot three times in the leg by the kidnappers before being forcibly taken from his residence.

The family’s distress escalated when the criminals persisted in holding the victim even after receiving the ransom.

“On Tuesday, 9 January 2024, officers of the command went to Agbonchia Forest at Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, where the victim was rescued,” Disu explained.

He noted that an intense exchange of gunfire occurred between the police and the kidnappers during the operation, resulting in one of the criminals sustaining injuries.

The successful rescue operation yielded additional achievements.

Disu reported, “One AK 47, two magazines, Rx 350 and 330 vehicles were recovered from the suspects.” Intriguingly, the kidnappers had collected the ransom discreetly in a food flask.

Highlighting the criminals’ attempts to evade capture, Disu stated, “The kidnappers took the stolen vehicle to a panel beater and repainted it.”

The victim, now recovering in a Port Harcourt hospital, shared his traumatic experience with journalists.

Confirming the three gunshots to his leg, he described the ordeal, stating, “I saw hell in the hands of the kidnappers.”