In a swift and coordinated effort, five students from Rivers State University (RSU) who were abducted have been safely recovered without any injuries. This successful rescue was the result of a joint operation involving the Rivers State Police Command, allied security agencies, and crucial assistance from local community leaders.
The students-Prince London, Azubuike Kelechukwu, Elizabeth Aniete, Onyebuchi Precious, and London Sampson-were taken from their secluded homes in the Rumuche/Rumuohia area of Emohua Local Government Area at approximately 1 a.m. on December 3rd.
According to SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, the victims were found and rescued in the nearby community of Rumuodogo 2, where the kidnappers had held them captive.
Initial investigations suggest that the perpetrators are suspected cult members, a conclusion supported by local community leaders who noted that the assailants were familiar faces within the area.
The Youth President of Rumuohia disclosed that intelligence gathered shortly after the abduction implicated youths from the neighboring communities of Rumuodogo 1 and 2, allegedly collaborating with an insider from Rumuohia. This insider has since been detained and handed over to law enforcement authorities.
In response, the community swiftly confronted the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of Rumuodogo, setting a firm deadline of 3 p.m. for the release of the abducted students. This decisive action is credited by many residents as a key factor that accelerated the rescue operation.
Such community-police collaboration highlights the growing importance of local involvement in combating crime in the region. According to recent statistics from the Nigeria Security Tracker, community-led initiatives have contributed to a 15% increase in the recovery of abducted persons in Rivers State over the past year.
