By Emmanuel Onyedika
The Bayelsa State Police Command has rescued 42-year-old Sarah Chinedu, who was abducted in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw LGA, and held captive for nearly a month.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Adewale, disclosed the development on Sunday while briefing journalists. He said the operation was carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, who stormed the kidnappers’ hideout in Ogboinbiri Forest.
“The suspects surveyed the environment and saw that the woman was not sufficiently protected. They abducted her, put her in a vehicle and moved her to the riverside, where she was ferried to the camp,” Adewale explained.
The CP revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million ransom, later reducing it to N20 million, and even collected N1.5 million from the victim’s husband for “refreshments.”
The police launched the rescue operation at about 1:45 a.m., leading to Chinedu’s safe recovery and the arrest of one suspect, 33-year-old Mark from Akenfa 1 community, who confessed to his involvement.
Adewale said the operation involved personnel from the Violent Crime Response Squad, Federal Criminal Investigation Unit, and Marine Department, commending officers who endured difficult riverine terrain to track the kidnappers.
Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang who remain at large.