The Bayelsa State Police Command has rescued a 42-year-old woman, Esther Chinedu, after she spent nearly one month in captivity following her abduction in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state. Chinedu was reportedly abducted on July 28, 2026, after suspected kidnappers entered her phone shop under the pretext of wanting to buy an item.

Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, said the command immediately activated its intelligence network after receiving a distress call on the day of the incident. Investigators subsequently gathered information through digital and local sources, which helped them trace the kidnappers’ movements and monitor negotiations with the victim’s family. The gang reportedly initially demanded N100 million before reducing the ransom to N20 million.

The commissioner said operatives from the Crime Response Squad, Federal Criminal Investigation Unit and Marine Department relocated to Ogumbri Forest five days before the final operation. They stormed the kidnappers’ camp at about 1:45 a.m., rescued Chinedu unhurt and arrested a 33-year-old suspect identified as Mark from Akemfa 1 community. Police said the suspect confessed to participating in the abduction.

Adewale commended the officers involved in the operation, particularly those who navigated difficult riverine terrain while tracking the suspects. He also appreciated the Bayelsa State Government for its logistical support and warned criminal elements in the state that the police would continue to pursue them. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the kidnapping gang.