The Bayelsa State Police Command has rescued a 42-year-old woman, Sarah Chinedu, after she spent 26 days in a kidnappers' den. The operation, carried out by the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), also led to the arrest of one suspect.
Abduction in Amassoma
Mrs. Chinedu, an indigene of Ebonyi State, was abducted on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. She assists her husband in selling phones and mattresses. According to police reports, suspected kidnappers stormed the phone shop under the guise of wanting to buy an item.
The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Ajao Adewale, briefed journalists on Sunday morning, August 23, 2026, about the successful rescue. He stated that Mrs. Chinedu was rescued unhurt from the kidnappers' hideout in Ogobiri Forest, also in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Intelligence and Ransom Negotiations
CP Adewale explained that intelligence gathering, including digital and local sources, provided clues on the kidnappers' movements and their ransom negotiations with the victim's family. The kidnappers initially demanded N100 million but later reduced the ransom to N20 million. They reportedly collected N1.5 million from the husband for "refreshments."
The operatives of the VCRU, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, relocated to Ogobiri Forest for five days before the final operation. They began closing in on the suspects during this period.
Rescue Operation and Arrest
The operatives stormed the kidnappers' camp at about 1:45 a.m. on Sunday morning. They rescued the victim and arrested one suspected kidnapper, identified as 33-year-old Mark from Akenfa 1 community. CP Adewale said Mark has confessed to his involvement in the abduction and narrated how the gang carried out the operation.
"They surveyed the environment and saw that the woman was not sufficiently protected. They abducted her, put her in a vehicle and moved her to the riverside, where she was ferried to the camp," he said.
Commendation for Officers
CP Adewale commended the officers and men who participated in the operation, particularly those who endured difficult conditions on the river while tracking the kidnappers. The rescue brings an end to the 26-day ordeal for Mrs. Chinedu, and the police continue to pursue other members of the gang.
