…Arrest suspect over kidnap of minor
Omiete Blessing
The Rivers State Police Command has stated that it is partnering with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to enhance security in the state, especially during the Christmas and new year festival.
This is as the command has announced the arrest of one Nwile Bete, over alleged kidnap of a 10-year-old boy in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
Speaking during the official donation of a two-way radio communication gadgets, transmitters and several accessories, by the management of NDDC to the State Police Command, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bala Mohammed, noted that the Commission has severally supported the efforts of the police in the state.
Bala represented by a Deputy Commissioner of Police in the command, Samuel Erale, said the communication equipment would boost the security architecture already installed by the command and effectively nip crime in the bud during this yuletide season and beyond.
The police boss commanding the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku for his encouragement to the command, CP Bala assured that the equipment would be properly maintained and adequately utilised for the purpose for which it was donated.
On his part, the immediate past CP, currently Police boss in FCT, Mr Olatunji Disu, commended the NDDC for cooperating with security agencies working in the Niger Delta region to ensure peace.
Disu, who spoke through Zoom, said the police would continue to discharge its duties to the country, including maintaining peace in the Niger Delta region, which he affirmed was necessary for sustainable development to thrive.
In his remarks, Dr Ogbuku, said the donation is aimed at bringing peace in the Niger Delta region and also to ensure better communication among the police.
He said: “This donation is part of our efforts to support the security agencies to fight crime in the Niger Delta region. We believe that the modern communication tools will assist the police to carry out their duties more effectively and ensure the safety of our communities.”
Ogbuku explained that the rapid development of the Niger Delta region could be achieved only in a peaceful environment, noting that peace and security were critical to creating the necessary environment for the rapid development of the Niger Delta region.
Ogbuku said that as an interventionist agency, NDDC would not hesitate to ensure that security agencies were given the necessary support to enhance their capacity to maintain security in the Niger Delta region.
In another development, the Police Command said it achieved a significant breakthrough with the arrest of a notorious kidnap kingpin and the successful rescue of 10-year-old Emmanuel Jonah.
In a statement by the spokesperson of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the victim has been reunited with his family after debriefing, adding that the suspect is currently in police custody.
Iringe-Koko recalled that “on December 4, 2024, Florence Jonah, of Redeemed Camp, Aluu Junction, Port Harcourt, reported that her son, Emmanuel Jonah, was allegedly kidnapped on November 25, 2024. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦5,000,000 for his release.
“Acting swiftly on this credible information, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit utilized technical intelligence to apprehend one Nwile Bete, aged 30, of Rumuekeni School Road, Rumuekeni Town.
“During interrogation, Bete confessed to the crime and led police operatives to Sogho Village in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, where Emmanuel was rescued unharmed.”
The police spokesperson who assured arrests of other gang members, said the case will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.