A 35-year-old suspected kidnapper, Victor Ini, has claimed that he joined a kidnapping gang after being promised N40,000 for his role in abducting a woman in Rivers State.

Ini, a native of Akwa Ibom State, made the claim during interrogation in a video shared by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Blessing Agabe, on Wednesday.

According to the suspect, the gang planned to abduct the woman from her shop, collect money from her and later release her.

He alleged that the woman’s neighbour, identified as Chukwuebuka, recruited the gang after informing them that she had money.

Ini said it was his first time working with the gang and that he had not received any payment from the operation.

The suspect identified his alleged accomplices as Chukwuebuka, Chinedu, Okwozichi and Evance.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command said Ini was arrested during an operation launched after the abduction of a woman identified as Loveth.

Agabe said Loveth was abducted by armed men on September 2, 2026, while sitting in front of her shop. The assailants reportedly fired shots into the air before forcing her into a vehicle and driving away.

Following intelligence gathered by operatives of the Eleme Police Division, the police tracked the suspected kidnappers and engaged them in a gun battle, during which Ini was arrested.

The police recovered a silver-coloured mini Keke bus with registration number RBC 992 XE, Abuja, from the suspects.

Other items recovered included two locally made pistols, one live ammunition, a mobile phone, two identity cards, two black gowns and a vehicle number plate bearing registration number KRK 528 HG.

The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the suspected gang.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, assured residents that the command would continue to take measures to protect lives and property and bring suspected criminals to justice.

He also warned criminal elements that there would be no safe haven for them in the state.

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could help the police combat crime.