By Prince Woke
According to the Rivers State Police, the command has made significant progress in the unfortunate kidnapping and subsequent murder of one Hope Georgewill, the Chief Executive Officer of HMG Attitude Ltd, who was abducted alongside two others on March 26, 2025, along the Cotton Channel, Bakana River, by a gang of notorious sea pirates led by one Mr Preye Ngian-Ngian, a native of Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State.
SP Grace Iringe Koko, spokesperson for the command, stated on April 22nd, 2025, that despite a ransom payment of ₦2,000,000 made to the kidnappers, the deceased’s body was later recovered and deposited at the morgue.
SP Koko explained that, following investigative efforts and intelligence-led policing, on April 3, 2025, at around 0730hrs, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua, in collaboration with intelligence gathered from two previously arrested suspects in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, launched a tactical operation on the kidnappers’ hideout located in a creek off the Bonny Waterway.
The police image maker went on to say that when the operatives arrived at the hideout, they were met with heavy gunfire from the hoodlums.
” The team reacted decisively, and two of the suspects were killed in the ensuing exchange, while others fled with varying degrees of injury.
“The two initial suspects who led the team to the location attempted to flee during the melee, but were apprehended with gunshot wounds.
“While combing the creek, the following exhibits were recovered:
“One operational speedboat,one 80-horsepower and one 70-horsepower outboard engine, respectively,the deceased’s mobile phone (SIM card removed),one live cartridge,food supplies used by the kidnappers” SP Koko said
Rivers Police Public Relations Officers stated that all four injured suspects were immediately transported to the Police Clinic for emergency treatment. However, when they arrived, the attending medical officer confirmed their death. Their bodies have since been deposited for an autopsy.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, praised the command’s officers, saying the development is a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to rid Rivers’ waterways and communities of criminals.
