Notorious Kidnappers Who Abducted Female Customs Officer, Arrested.

The police has arrested seven notorious kidnappers allegedly responsible for the abduction of an Assistant Comptroller of Customs in Onne, Rivers state.

On 13/11/2018, Assistant Comptroller of Custom Justina Tanko was kidnapped by a gang of notorious kidnappers and taken to an unknown destination from a Restaurant she frequents.


Upon receipt of the information on her kidnap, operatives of IGP-intelligence Response Team IRT deployed to Port-Harcourt by IGP Ibrahim K. Idris led by DCP. Abba Kyari immediately commenced investigation into the kidnap and with the aid of technical intelligence, active members of the gangs were identified.

Immediately after a negotiated ransom of five million (5,000,000) naira was paid by her family on 15/11/18 to avoid risking her life during Rescue Operation and her subsequent release on the same day. Operatives immediately commence action and within 24hrs after her release the first suspect was arrested and subsequently in an operation that lasted for about 72hrs seven (7) confirmed members of the gang were arrested.

The gang is notorious in kidnap for ransom and thereafter causing the disappearance of their hostages after collection of ransom in some of their Kidnappings, they also made some confession of their robbery escapade where they operate in two local governments areas of, Eleme LGA and Gonna LGA in Rivers State with a strong hold in Biara town in Gokana LGA and Trailer park in Eleme LGA.

Exhibits recovered include, 2 Ak47 Riffles and Pump Action Gun, the gangs' operational vehicle and the VW Golf belonging to Chibuike Ezenkwu whom the gang kidnapped in the month of May 2018 and till date he has not been released as the gang confessed that he was killed and thrown into the River after collection of ransom because he knows them.

Suspects are cooperating with Operatives and have made more useful confessions that will aid the investigation. While frantic effort is still ongoing to arrest "Bobo Biara" the gang leader who is still in possession of the large chunk of ransom meant for members of the gang already arrested and also the arrest of other fleeing gang members and recovery of more weapons.