Four men who have been terrorizing major areas in Port Harcourt, including Rukpakurshi New Layout, have been arrested by men of the  Special Area Divisional Patrol Team in the state.

The suspects were caught after they robbed a man simply identified as Archibong and inflicted machete wounds on him before making away with his cash, mobile phone and other valuables.

The bandits, who operated mainly at night, usually operate from bushes surrounding Rukpakurshi area. Many residents who have been victims of their sporadic attacks hailed the police for their arrest.

A police source told Crime Alert that the police have received several complaints regarding the activities of the bandits, who they said operated mainly with machetes.

He said: “We knew of their activities and we have been on the look-out for them. On the day we nabbed them while on patrol around Rukpakurshi, we saw a man lying in a pool of blood who was still alive.

He told us that he was robbed and also gave us the description of the people behind the attack. We went after them and apprehended them inside the bush where they hid. From all indications, it seems the bandits take advantage of the bushes around Rukpakurshi and terrorize the  residents.”

State Police Command spokesman, Mr. Ben Ugwuegbulam, on confirming the report said the police took the victim to a nearby hospital where he is currently receiving treatment. He added that the suspects will be charged to court at the completion of investigations.

Meanwhile, police have arrested three kidnappers and rescued kidnapped victims.

Chidi and Chinedu have been allowed to re-unite joyfully with their families after they were rescued from the hands of a  gang of kidnappers in Rivers State.

Crime Alert gathered that, the victims were kidnapped by armed men operating in an unmarked car, few metres from their home.

They were said to be on their way home from their club’s end of year party when they were taken to the kidnappers den at Iwofe Road, Port Harcourt, where they established a link  for ransom.

Sources at the Rivers State police command told Crime Guard, that  while the police were working on how to rescue the kidnapped victims, one of them, Chinedu, managed to escape.

According to our source,    “We were shocked when we learnt of  the sudden escape of one the kidnapped victims. We invited  him quickly to the command headquarters in Port Harcourt where he furnished us with  useful information on the activities of the kidnappers and we swung into action swiftly.    The State Commissioner of Police, Suleiman Abba ordered a combined team of Special Command operatives to strike at the kidnappers hideout.    Following the order,  a team of command operatives raided the kidnappers’ den and rescued the remaining victim, while three members of the kidnapping gang were arrested.  The State Public Relations Officer, Ben Ugwuegbulam, while confirming the report, said the command special operatives have received useful statements from the arrested suspects and they are also helping on the  trail of other fleeing suspects.