Bayelsa Police capture four suspects for the kidnapping of a businesswoman

Officers from the Anti-Kidnaping Squad of the Bayelsa State Police Command have confirmed the arrest of three suspects linked to the abduction of a 40-year-old businesswoman in the Opolo area of Yenagoa, the state capital. The incident took place on Tuesday night, causing shock waves throughout the state during the festive season.

According to reliable sources, the kidnappers, using a patrol vehicle belonging to the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone, forcibly took the woman from her business premises to an undisclosed location.

Although police authorities stated that the kidnappers had not established contact or demanded a ransom, it was learned that they had requested a sum of N10 million. IYC executives have mobilized clan security networks to collaborate with the state police command in apprehending the mastermind and ensuring the safe return of the businesswoman without ransom payment.

Commissioner of Police Alonyenu Idu, confirming the arrests to journalists, announced that four suspects, including the wife of the main perpetrator, had been apprehended as part of the investigation. He noted that some of the alleged criminals involved in the abduction had been recently pursued from their hideout in the Isoku area of River State by police operatives.

According to Idu, the criminals fled the raid in River State and used an IYC Central Zone-owned Sienna vehicle to carry out the kidnapping in Yenagoa. He disclosed that the mastermind of the kidnapping was a native of Ebonyi State.

“We have apprehended the initial group connected with the kidnapping. The mastermind’s girlfriend has also been taken into custody,” he added.

He also connected the unruly behavior of some protesting youths in Biogbolo community on Wednesday to the criminal actions of the kidnappers, emphasizing that the police, IYC leadership, and other community members are actively involved in the search for the mastermind.

Idu emphasized the collaborative efforts with the youth and community leaders to maintain peace in Bayelsa amidst the ongoing manhunt for the perpetrators.