The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, Goodnews Iberi, over his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of Rita Special Eleonu, a 25-year-old woman whose disappearance had sparked concern among family members.
Iberi, who hails from Rumuakunde Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, was arrested after investigations traced him to the case surrounding Eleonu’s disappearance. The victim was from Rumuekini Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Police operatives also recovered the decomposing remains of the victim from a forest in Emohua. The body has since been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) morgue, where an autopsy will be conducted.
Confirming the development in a statement on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the arrest followed a distress report filed on December 29, 2025, by the victim’s brother.
According to the police, investigations revealed that Iberi and four other accomplices, who are currently on the run, allegedly lured Rita Eleonu to the Rumuakunde axis of Emohua on December 13, 2025, where she was kidnapped.
She was later taken to a forest along the East-West Road in Emohua, where she was killed after her family reportedly paid a ransom of N210,000 to the kidnappers.
Iringe-Koko explained that Iberi was arrested on January 8, 2026, at about 6:30am during an intelligence-led operation carried out by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua annex.
“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime, admitting his role and implicating four other accomplices,” she said.
The police spokesperson added that the suspect led officers to the forest where the victim’s remains were found.
Iberi is currently in police custody as investigations continue, while efforts are being intensified to track down and arrest the remaining members of the suspected kidnapping syndicate.
