A joint manhunt is underway following the recovery of speedboats used by kidnappers who abducted two staff members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Operatives of Operation Puff Adder, under the Bayelsa State Police Command, made the recovery after rescuing the victims on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
The abducted individuals, Akari Loveday, special adviser on domestic affairs to the NDDC managing director, and Emmanuel Nathan Ogbuku, the MD’s brother—were kidnapped on Friday, March 7, 2025, while traveling by river to Ayakoro community in Ogbia Local Government Area, hometown of NDDC boss Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
Speaking on the breakthrough, Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Alonyenu Francis Idu, disclosed that the success of the operation was due to the deployment of Community Intelligence and Security Drone Technology.
Francis made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit by Barr. Rex-Ogbuku Jude, brother of the NDDC managing director.
The Commissioner assured that the police command is determined to hunt down those behind the crime and bring them to justice.
CP Idu praised CSP Chris Nwaogbo and his team for their relentless three-day operation, which led them through the Onuebum-Eboi and Otuogidi forests, as well as the creeks and rivers surrounding Ayakoro, to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims.
The mission was supported by the state police drone unit, Ability Security Services (a private drone firm), and the Nigerian Navy (NNS Soroh), whose personnel patrolled the waterways with gunboats.
Barr. Rex-Ogbuku Jude commended the swift action of the police and security agencies, noting that their intervention prevented what could have been a tragic outcome.
He said: “When the victims were rescued, the entire community erupted in jubilation, and your officers, led by Chris Nwaogbo, were prayed for by the elders and youths.”
