The Bayelsa State Police Command has rescued a 42-year-old woman, Esther Chinedu, nearly one month after she was abducted in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Chinedu was kidnapped on July 28, 2026, after suspected kidnappers reportedly entered her phone shop pretending to be customers.
The Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, said on Sunday that the victim was rescued unhurt from a kidnappers’ hideout in Ogumbri Forest, in the South-Dajo area.
According to him, the command received a distress call about 7pm on the day of the abduction and launched an intelligence-led operation to track the suspects.
Police operatives eventually moved into the forest and stormed the kidnappers’ camp at about 1:45am, rescuing Chinedu and arresting a 33-year-old suspected kidnapper identified as Mark from Akemfa 1 community.
Adewale said the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million in ransom before reducing it to N20 million during negotiations with the victim’s family.
The police chief said the operation involved personnel from the Crime Response Squad, Federal Criminal Investigation Unit, and Marine Department.
Chinedu, who spoke after her rescue, said the kidnappers lured her with a fake purchase before bringing out guns and taking her away. She was moved through several boats before being taken to the forest.
Describing her nearly month-long captivity as “very terrible,” the victim said she was given food but often struggled to eat because of the emotional trauma.
Her husband said the family paid about N1.8 million to the kidnappers during the prolonged negotiations, but the suspects continued to demand more money.
He said the ordeal was particularly difficult for their children, who repeatedly asked about their mother.
The police commissioner commended the officers involved in the operation and warned criminals in the state that the command would continue to pursue them.
He also urged residents to provide useful information to security agencies to help curb kidnapping and other crimes in Bayelsa.
The rescue comes as the Bayelsa police command intensifies operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.
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