The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five individuals in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 34-year-old Rowland Horsefall, who was abducted and killed after his family paid a N300,000 ransom.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspects allegedly kidnapped Horsefall in September 2024.
After holding him captive, the kidnappers demanded ransom from his family.
Iringe-Koko stated that the victim’s mother, Gloria George, reported the incident to the police. She explained that on September 10, 2024, Horsefall left home to attend meetings but later became unreachable.
His mother received a distress call from him early the next morning, where he revealed that he had been kidnapped and his phone seized.
The kidnappers initially demanded N300,000, which was later raised to N2.5 million.
However, the family managed to send N300,000, which was deposited into Horsefall’s account in hopes of securing his release.
Despite the payment, Horsefall remained in captivity, prompting the family to report the matter to the police.
After an investigation, the police arrested the prime suspect, Endurance Friday Thompson, on November 3, 2024, at his hideout in Woji Town.
During interrogation, Thompson confessed to the crime, stating that he and his gang had held the victim captive behind the Port Harcourt Zoo and demanded the ransom.
When the ransom was not paid in full, Thompson and his accomplices beat Horsefall to death and discarded his body along Abuloma Road.
The police later recovered the remains and deposited them in the mortuary.
The other suspects arrested include Boma Otonye, David Link Ishaku, Moses Nsikak Benjamin, and Emmanuel Aniete.
All five suspects have admitted to their involvement in the crime.
