Police in Rivers State have arrested a suspect linked to a failed kidnapping attempt in Port Harcourt, recovering two AK-47 rifles and over 100 rounds of ammunition. The incident occurred after Fadi Nasser reported that armed men invaded his residence along Woji Road in the Government Reserved Area in the early hours of March 20. According to police spokesperson Grace-Iringe-Koko, the attackers opened fire in an attempt to abduct Nasser, but he managed to escape. His escape allowed police to respond quickly, collecting a mobile phone left at the scene.
That phone became a critical clue. Police used technical intelligence to trace it, leading to the arrest of Joseph Abibo, a suspected gang member. Abibo's interrogation directed officers to the group's hideout. Upon arrival, police came under heavy gunfire from other suspects. A gun battle ensued, during which six gang members fled into a nearby river with gunshot wounds. Inside the hideout, officers recovered two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and 108 live rounds.
Grace-Iringe-Koko confirmed that a manhunt is ongoing to capture the escaped suspects. She said the operation is part of broader efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks in the state. Residents have been urged to report suspicious activities.
That a single mobile phone led to the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and recovery of military-grade weapons shows how fragile these criminal networks can be when police follow leads with precision. Joseph Abibo's capture and the exposure of the hideout reveal that some gangs operate under thin cover in urban areas like Port Harcourt. Yet, with six suspects still at large and armed, the risk of retaliation or continued violence remains real for nearby communities. This operation, while successful, does not mean the threat has ended.
