Rivers Police Arrest Suspect Over Kidnap, Murder of 25-Year-Old Woman

Rivers Police Arrest Suspect Over Kidnap, Murder of 25-Year-Old Woman

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, Goodnews Iberi, in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Rita Special Eleonu, a 25-year-old woman from Rumuekini Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest followed a distress report filed on December 29, 2025, by the victim’s brother, whose identity was withheld.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Grace Iringe Koko, said the crime was committed on December 13, 2025.

According to the police, Iberi and four other suspects, who are currently at large, allegedly lured the victim to the Rumuakunde axis of Emohua Local Government Area, where she was kidnapped and taken to a forest along the East–West Road.

CSP Koko said the suspects contacted the victim’s family and demanded ransom. In an attempt to secure her release, the family reportedly paid a total of ₦210,000.

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Despite the payment, the kidnappers allegedly killed the victim and concealed her body in the forest.

“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex, arrested the suspect on January 8, 2026, at about 6:30 a.m. at his hideout,” the police spokesperson said.

She added that during preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed to his involvement and disclosed the roles played by four other members of the syndicate.

The suspect subsequently led police operatives to the forest where the decomposing remains of the victim were recovered. The remains were deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) morgue for autopsy.

The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend the other suspects.

Commending the operatives, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, praised their diligence and assured residents of the Command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and violent crimes in the state.

The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, noting that credible information remains vital to dismantling criminal networks in Rivers State.

Rivers Police Arrest Suspect Over Kidnap, Murder of 25-Year-Old Woman