Ejire, the first child of Prof Ndowa Lale, was abducted at Eleme last month and held for four days.
Two of the suspects- Samuel Osaro, a Senior Secondary School (SSS) 2 pupil and Wisdom Godfrey – told reporters they took part in the abduction.
The police also paraded 12 others for alleged cultism, robbery and kidnapping.
Police Commissioner Musa Kimo assured residents that the command would rid the state of hoodlums.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″]Represented by police spokesman Mohammad Ahmed, Kimo said over 16 suspects, including kidnappers, robbers and cultists, had been detained.[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″]The police chief said seven kidnap victims, including a 76-year-old woman, 68-year-old Prof Iheanyi S. Nzeneri of UNIPORT, among others, were rescued.[/vc_column][/vc_row]
He said one of the abductors was killed.
Kimo named other rescued victims as Bunmi Shoneye (43); Theresa Nwosu (76); Osimoke Itu (all married women); Judah Ayoade, Ogochukwu Duru (10) and Friday Ozogo.
Kimo said a suspect, Stephen Ezebunwo, allegedly participated in the abduction of Friday Ozoko, who was buried in a shallow grave at Choba Water Front.
He said Ezebunwo was arrested on October 1 at Rukpokwu in Port Harcourt.
Ezebunwo allegedly worked with Kelvin Ogbulaon (22); Chiwendu Akani (20) and Nelson Kacaranmos (23), who reportedly confessed and were paraded on July 27 .
Kimo decried the inhumane treatment abductors meted out to their victims, saying: “These rescued victims were found in inhumane, cruel conditions, depicting depravity, wickedness and reprehensible disposition.
“Mrs. Shonoye was found chained at the kidnappers’ hideout on Rumuduru Road, Port Harcourt.
“A suspect, Obinnma Ezekiel, 28, and Henry Enyi, 28, were arrested during her rescue.”
The police chief said two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, 40 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition and a Honda Accord were recovered.
He said 11 suspected kidnappers were arrested while one was killed during the period under review.
According to him, two AK-47 rifles, six magazines and 131 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered from the leader of a notorious cult group, Ovunda Jacob (aka Junior) and his group, who were said to be behind several robberies, cult-related activities and kidnappings at Orazi and environs.
Kimo said: “His arrest led to the recovery of three stolen vehicles – a black Toyota Camry with registration number (Bayelsa) BRO 407 NV; a blue Toyota Avalon car with registration number (Rivers) FS 937 PHC; a blue and grey Toyota Camry with registration number (Rivers) GCU 225 BF.
“George Kelly, 20, who has been on the command’s wanted list for cultism, was arrested on September 27 at Mile 3 in Port Harcourt.
“Substance suspected to be cocaine was recovered from him.”