The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old suspected kidnapper and murderer, Goodnews Iberi, and recovered the decomposing remains of his alleged victim from a forest in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

Iberi, a native of Rumuakunde Community in Emohua LGA, was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Rita Special Eleonu, a 25-year-old woman from Rumuekini Community in Obio/Akpor LGA.

According to a press release issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, the arrest followed a distress report filed on December 29, 2025, by the victim’s brother. Investigations revealed that Rita was lured on December 13, 2025, by Iberi and four other accomplices, who are currently at large, to the Rumuakunde axis of Emohua, where she was abducted.

The police said the suspects later moved the victim to a forest along the East–West Road in Emohua, where they collected a ransom of ₦210,000 from her family before killing her.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex, arrested Iberi on January 8, 2026, at about 6:30 a.m. at his hideout. During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime and provided information implicating four other members of the syndicate.

The suspect subsequently led police operatives to the forest where the victim’s decomposing remains were recovered. The remains have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) morgue for autopsy.

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, commended the operatives for their diligence and swift action, assuring residents of the Command’s commitment to combating crime across the state.

He urged members of the public to remain calm and vigilant, continue to support the police with credible intelligence, and report suspicious activities that could aid in the arrest of other fleeing members of the criminal syndicate.

Police said investigations are ongoing, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the crime.