The Bayelsa State Police Command has apprehended four suspects, including the wife of the alleged mastermind, in connection with the kidnapping of a 40-year-old businesswoman in Opolo community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state. The Commissioner of Police, Alonyenu Idu, confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspects were involved in abducting the victim on Tuesday evening.
According to Commissioner Idu, some of the kidnappers were among the criminals pursued by the police in Rivers State, who raided their hideouts around the Isokun area last week. The police claimed that the kidnappers fired several gunshots before forcibly taking the businesswoman away in their vehicle.
The arrested suspects include the girlfriend of the alleged mastermind, and they represent the first layer of those involved in the kidnapping. Commissioner Idu also linked the recent youth unrest in Biogbolo-Epie in the same Yenagoa LGA to some individuals associated with the disorderly conduct of suspects involved in the abduction.
The police stated that the unusual behavior of some youths in Biogbolo-Epie attracted their attention, and when officers attempted to apprehend two individuals for questioning, it led to the suspects raising their voices, triggering a mob action to disarm the policemen. The crowd also reportedly attacked a team of the state-owned Community Safety Corps and attempted to disarm them.
During the scuffle, an accidental discharge occurred, resulting in the injury of one of the individuals in the mob. The incident caused confusion and a temporary traffic jam around the Green Villa junction in Biogbolo-Epie at the Isaac Boro Expressway before normalcy was restored.
