Police arrest two notorious sea pirates for kidnap and m8rder of fashion designer despite N2m ransom payment

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested suspected k!llers of renowned fashion designer, Hope Georgewell.   LIB reported that Georgewell was kidnapped alongside two others on March 26, 2025, by sea pirates while travelling from Elem Kalabari to Port Harcourt.  The abductors demanded a ransom of N10m from the families of the victim.   Despite efforts to secure their release, Georgewill was k!lled by the pirates two days later.    Spokesperson of the command, who confirmed the latest development in a statement on Tuesday, April 22, said the pirates k!lled Georgewill after collecting N2m ransom from his family.   According to the PPRO, two members of the gang were arrested in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.  Subsequently, men of the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), in collaboration with intelligence gathered from the arrested suspects, launched a tactical operation on the kidnappers hideout located in a creek off the Bonny Waterway.  According to the PPRO, two other members of the gang were shot d3ad during a gun battle at the hideout while others fled the scene with varying degrees of injuries.  The Rivers State Police Command has made significant progress in an earlier report regarding the unfortunate kidnap and subsequent murder of one Hope Georgewill, the Chief Executive Officer of HMG Attitude Ltd, who was abducted alongside two others on March 26, 2025, along the Cotton Channel, Bakana River, by a gang of notorious sea pirates led by one Preye Ngian-Ngian 'M', a native of Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, the statement read.  "Despite a ransom payment of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) made to the kidnappers, the body of the deceased was later recovered and deposited at the morgue. "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. "During a continued combing of the creek, the following exhibits were recovered: one operational speedboat, one 80-horsepower and one 70-horsepower outboard engine, respectively, the deceaseds mobile phone (SIM card removed), one live cartridge and food supplies used by the kidnappers.  "All 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. "The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, has commended the men of the command as this development marks a significant breakthrough in the continued effort to rid our 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. Further investigations are ongoing, and the public will be updated with any new developments.    The post Police arrest two notorious sea pirates for kidnap and m8rder of fashion designer despite N2m ransom payment appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.