Police arrest 24-year-old man over alleged kidnap, sexual assault of female job seeker

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a young woman in the state.

The suspect, identified as Otamiri Prince, was apprehended following a formal complaint lodged with the police on April 11, 2026.

Police investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly made contact with the 24-year-old victim online before arranging a physical meeting. What was initially presented as a planned encounter reportedly escalated into a criminal act involving abduction and assault.

According to the command, the victim, Miss Thomas Alice of Eliozu, Port Harcourt, reported that she was lured to Igwuruta on January 3, 2026, after communicating with the suspect online.

From Igwuruta, she was allegedly taken by the suspect and his accomplices to a secluded bush in Ulakwo, Etche Local Government Area, where the crime reportedly occurred. The victim told police she was assaulted and dispossessed of her valuables before being released.

Spokesperson of the command, Blessing Agabe, disclosed details of the arrest in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

“The Rivers State Police Command has arrested one Otamiri Prince ‘M’, aged 24, in connection with a case of alleged kidnapping and rape,” the statement read.

It added that following the report made by the victim, operatives immediately launched an investigation.

The police said the arrest was made possible through the deployment of modern investigative techniques in line with strategies introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

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“On receipt of the report, operatives of the command promptly commenced investigation, leveraging technology-driven strategies of the Inspector-General of Police, which aided the investigation and eventual arrest of the suspect,” the statement noted.

According to the command, the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation. Items recovered from him include an iPhone, a wig believed to belong to the victim, and other personal belongings.

Authorities confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices who remain at large. The suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, has urged members of the public — particularly women and job seekers — to exercise caution when engaging with strangers met online.

He advised residents to verify identities before meetings, avoid isolated or unfamiliar locations, inform trusted contacts of their movements, and opt for secure public spaces when meeting new acquaintances.

The command also encouraged residents to promptly report suspicious activities or emergencies through designated police channels to enable swift intervention.