Kidnappers makeshift warehouses, hidden deep within the forests of Rivers State, have become the latest tactic in a chilling evolution of crime.
These crude structures, built to hold abductees far from sight, came to light after police rescued a 13-year-old girl and uncovered a fenced hideout — a grim sign of how the wilderness is now being weaponised for ransom.
Teen Girl Abducted
The case came to light after a 13-year-old girl disappeared on June 5 while running an errand in Umuebule.
OShortly after, her mother received a threatening call demanding ₦2 million, or the girl would be killed.
Swift Police Response
Responding swiftly to the tip-off, the C4i Intelligence Unit tracked down and arrested a 24-year-old woman linked to the SIM cards used for the ransom calls.
She claimed someone had stolen her phone on the same day.
Investigators pressed on and eventually arrested 36-year-old Chizoba Andrew Obi, who confessed to leading a four-man kidnapping gang.
Rivers State Kidnappers Makeshift Forest Warehouse
Obi then led officers to a fenced hideout in Umuechem forest, where the police rescued the girl unharmed.
They also seized a locally-made pistol and a live cartridge from the site.
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The kidnappers had blindfolded victims and transported them to the hideout by motorbike, concealing their location deep in the bush.
Shootout In The Forest
Soon after, officers followed Obi to retrieve more weapons.
Suddenly, his gang ambushed them, triggering a gunfight.
While trying to escape, Obi suffered gunshot wounds.
Officers rushed him to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, where doctors later pronounced him dead.
His gang members fled with injuries.
Ongoing Manhunt And Public Warning
Meanwhile, the police reunited the girl with her family and launched a manhunt to capture the remaining suspects.
Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju praised the operatives’ bravery and urged the public to report anyone with unexplained gunshot wounds.
