Police Rescue Kidnap Victim in Rivers as Suspects Flee with Bullet Wounds

Several suspected kidnappers reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds after police operatives stormed a forest in Oyigbo area of Rivers State during a rescue mission that led to the successful recovery of one Mathew John Zephaniah.

The operation, which took place in the Agbon-Nchia forest in Eleme Local Government Area, was carried out by officers from tactical units, the Oyigbo Police Division, and members of the local vigilante group, Organised Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC).

In a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the development.

She said: “The Rivers State Police Command has successfully rescued one Mathew John Zephaniah, ‘m’ a kidnapped victim, following a coordinated operation by operatives of the Command. Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives, drawn from tactical units and Divisions within the Oyigbo Area Command, in collaboration with OSPAC local vigilante groups were swiftly mobilized to the suspected kidnappers’ den at Agbon-Nchia Forest. The kidnappers on sighting the Police Operatives, opened fire on them and there was exchange of fire but due to superior firing power of the Police, the kidnappers abandoned the victim and fled with gunshot wounds.”

She disclosed that during a search of the forest, officers recovered Zephaniah’s HP laptop and Redmi phone. Other items believed to belong to the fleeing kidnappers—including two Android phones and a smart wristwatch—were also retrieved.

“The victim was rescued unhurt and has been debriefed and reunited with his family,” Iringe-Koko added. “The exhibits are currently in police custody, while concerted efforts are being made to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.”