PORT HARCOURT – The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a suspect, Goodnews Iberi, 26, in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 25-year-old Rita Special Eleonu, whose remains were recovered from a forest along the East-West Road in Emohua Local Government Area.
According to a statement by Police Public Relations Officer CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, Iberi and four accomplices, still at large, lured the victim to the Rumuakunde area on December 13, 2025, kidnapped her, and later collected a ransom of ₦210,000 from her family before killing her.
Following a distress report by the victim’s brother, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit in Emohua arrested Iberi on January 8, 2026. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime and led police to the forest where Eleonu’s decomposing body was recovered.
The remains have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital morgue for autopsy.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, commended the operatives for their swift action and urged the public to continue providing credible intelligence to aid in apprehending the remaining suspects.
The police have launched a manhunt for the four other members of the syndicate while Iberi remains in custody for further investigation.
Disclaimer: This report is based on a police statement. Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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