Rivers Police Nab “Notorious” Kidnap Kingpin on Airport Road, Recover AK-47, 36 Rounds

ByNewsmakers

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Matilda Omonaiye/

The Police in Rivers have arrested a suspected notorious kidnapper, Mohammed Ibrahim, and recovered an AK-47 rifle and 36 rounds of live ammunition during an operation in the state.

The Rivers State Police Command described the arrest as a major breakthrough in its ongoing clampdown on kidnapping and other violent crimes, carried out in line with directives of the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olugbenga A. Adepoju.

According to a press statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspect was apprehended on January 10, 2026, at about 7:46pm, by operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex.

The police said Ibrahim, a 30-year-old man from Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was intercepted following credible intelligence linking him to a string of kidnapping operations for ransom in Rivers State.

Investigations revealed that the suspect had allegedly been terrorising the Port Harcourt International Airport Road axis in Omagwa, but was arrested while planning to relocate his operational camp and armoury to the Agbonchia/Oyigbo Road area in Eleme Local Government Area.

A search conducted on the suspect reportedly led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle with breach number 2125, as well as two magazines loaded with 36 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm live ammunition.

During preliminary interrogation, the police said the suspect voluntarily confessed to being the ringleader of a kidnapping syndicate and admitted involvement in multiple operations across the state.

The Command stated that the suspect and recovered exhibits are currently in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the gang and recover additional weapons.

Commending the operatives for their swift action, CP Adepoju urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities, assuring the public of the Command’s continued commitment to sustaining peace and security in Rivers State.

Adepoju added that the arrest underscored the Command’s resolve to tackle violent crimes and ensure perpetrators face the full wrath of the law, stressing that there would be no hiding place for criminal elements in the state.