The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended two notorious kidnappers accused of abducting and burying alive a former Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Praise Daakian, in Kereken-Boue, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The suspects allegedly collected N200,000 as part of the ransom payment from the victim’s wife before carrying out the heinous act.
Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu revealed this development during his inaugural news briefing in Port Harcourt.
The suspects, Baridapdo Igia (33) and Elvis Gordon (26), were apprehended by the Anti-Cultism Unit.
They confessed to leading Iceland and Degbam cult groups and terrorizing Khana Local Government Area for the past three years.
Related News: Mother Hands Over Wanted Thug to Kano Police as Part of Amnesty Program
The suspects admitted to kidnapping and murdering Praise Daakian, as well as confessing to the murder of nine other victims between 2021 and 2023.
The victims were allegedly buried alive, leading to partial evacuation of the community during that period.
In a related incident, three suspected armed robbers were arrested during a routine patrol in the Trans-Amadi axis of Port Harcourt.
The suspects—Elsharawy Joseph (27), Thankgod Achese (23), and Ibrahim Ishaq (25)—were intercepted while using a tricycle (Keke) to carry out robbery operations using the “one chance” model.
They confessed to robbing and stealing phones and valuables from unsuspecting victims, using a locally made pistol and a dagger.
CP Disu urged residents to support the police by providing credible and timely information to enhance the command’s efforts in combating crime in the state.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing to uncover the full scale of the suspects’ operations.
You can also read: Alleged Cultist Dies in Custody: Family Claims Foul Play, Police Deny Torture