By Eric Moore
THE Rivers State Police Command said it has made significant progress in an earlier report regarding the unfortunate kidnap and subsequent murder of Mr. Hope Georgewill, the Chief Executive Officer of HMG Attitude Ltd.
Late Georgewill was abducted alongside two others on March 26, 2025, along the Cotton Channel, Bakana River, by a gang of notorious sea pirates led by Preye Ngian-Ngian (male), a native of Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State.
It was gathered that despite a ransom payment of ₦2,000,000 made to the kidnappers, Georgewill was murdered and his body was later recovered and deposited at a morgue.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who confirmed the development, said operatives of the command acting on discreet intelligence launched a tactical operation on the suspects’ hideout in Bonny waterways.
Iringe-Koko stated: “Following relentless investigative efforts and intelligence led policing, on April 3, 2025, at about 0730hrs, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua, in collaboration with intelligence gathered from two earlier arrested suspects in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, launched a tactical operation on the kidnappers’ hideout located in a creek off the Bonny Waterway.
Upon arrival at the hideout, the operatives came under heavy gunfire from the hoodlums. The team responded with decisive force, and in the ensuing exchange, two of the suspects were fatally wounded, while others fled the scene with varying degrees of injuries.
“The two initial suspects who led the team to the location attempted to escape during the melee but were later apprehended with gunshot wounds.”
The PPRO further said that during a continued combing of the creek, some items were recovered from the hoodlums, which included; an operational speedboat, one 80 Horsepower and another 70 Horsepower outboard engine, respectively.
Other items included, the deceased’s mobile phone (SIM card removed), a live cartridge, food supplies used by the kidnappers.
According to Police spokesperson,
all the four wounded suspects were immediately transported to the Police Clinic for emergency treatment.
“However, upon arrival, the attending medical officer confirmed them dead on arrival. Their remains have since been deposited for autopsy.”
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has commended the men of the command for their resilience, saying that this development marks a significant breakthrough in the Command’s continued effort to rid the waterways and communities of criminal elements.
He stated that the Rivers State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the state.
He said further investigations are ongoing, and the public would be updated with any new developments.