….As police rescue 13 kidnap victims,  arrest 7 suspects

From Tony John, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Commissioner for Police, Zaki Ahmed, has disclosed that one Pastor Samuel Okpara from Edoha community in Ahoada East, Rivers State, was abducted, killed and used to prepare pepper soup.

Ahmed stated this yesterday while parading 25 suspects in Port Harcourt, arrested for their involvement in various criminal activities in the state.

He has also restated that the state police command was determined to re-arrest the suspected ritualist, Ifeanyi Dike, who escaped from custody after murdering an eight-year-old girl on August 19, 2017.

The commissioner of police added that N1 million has been pledged as reward for any member of the public with useful information that would lead to the arrest the fleeing suspect.

Ahmed said that Okpara was abducted by a notorious kidnap gang in Edoha on August 15, 2017, killed and beheaded, adding that his liver and intestines were used to prepare pepper soup and plantain porridge.

The police boss further disclosed that, during the onslaught against kidnapping by men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU), one Roland Peter, a member of the gang, was arrested. 

According to Ahmed, the gang’s leader was identified as Justus, popularly called High-Tension, from Amarikpo in the same LGA.

He told journalists that the AKU also rescued 13 kidnap victims, nabbed seven suspects, killed six bandits and foiled three kidnap attempts.

Meanwhile, Peter has denied any involvement in the abduction and killing of Okpara, describing himself also as pastor.