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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested one Goodnews Iberi, a 26-year-old native of Rumuakunde Community in Emohua LGA, in connection with the kidnapping and murder of one Rita Special Eleonu, a 25-year-old female from Rumuekini Community in Obio Akpor Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the arrest was following a distress report by the victim’s brother.
A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Grace Iringe-Koko said that on December 13, 2025, the suspect and four of his accomplices, at large, lured Rita to Rumuakunde axis in Emohua Local Government Area.
The statement said the suspects kidnapped the victim and later took her to an evil forest along the East/West Road in Emohua.
The police said the suspect collected a ransom N210,000 from the victim’s family before murdering her.
The statement said: “Acting on this distressing, but credible piece of information, operatives of the command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU) Emohua annex , utilizing intelligence-led Policing, arrested Iberi on January 8, 2026, at about 0630hrs. in his hide out.
“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime, highlighting his role and further Incriminating four other accomplices.
“The suspect led police operatives to where the victim’s decomposing remains have been recovered from the forest and deposited at the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), morgue for autopsy”.
The police said the suspect was in police custody and an indepth investigation had been launched while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of his syndicate.
The statement also quoted the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, as commending the diligence and swift action of the operatives in apprehending the suspect.
He encouraged the public to maintain trust in police operations and to support the command with intelligence that could enhance prompt response and strengthen the collective fight against crime.
He further urged citizens to remain calm, vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities, and provide credible information that could aid in the arrest of other members of the syndicate.
