The police have arrested one Wariboko Basoene in connection with the abduction of a traditional ruler in Rivers State.

Mr Nnamdi Omoni, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday while confirming the release of the monarch.

The Okama of Ikuru in Andoni Local Government Area of the state, King Aaron Miller, was kidnapped from his hometown Ikuru on February 21 and taken to an unknown destination.

“The police, in the wake of the incident, deployed strategically and mounted unassailable pressure on the kidnappers. In one of such pressures, the king’s clothes and hat were recovered at a creek, while one Wariboko Basoene was arrested,” Omoni said.

He added, “In the course of the investigation, the suspect who made useful confessions to the police finally led the operatives to a forest in Abissa, where the Monarch was eventually rescued.”

According to the command’s spokesman, the monarch regained his freedom on Saturday after spending five weeks in captivity.

He noted that the release of the traditional ruler was as a result of a robust synergy between the police and the Nigerian Navy, adding that both agencies worked relentlessly and with the aid of technical assistance to record the feat.

Narrating his ordeal in the hands of his abductors, King Miller thanked God for his freedom and commended the police and others who contributed directly or indirectly to his release.

On his part, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Eboka Friday, who led his officers to the residence of the monarch had also thanked God for the release and commended his men for the success.

He noted that on the assumption of duty, he was confronted with the dastardly incident but swiftly put adequate machinery in place to ensure the safe and unconditional release of the king and his kinsman (the lecturer) who were kidnapped simultaneously.

The police commissioner gave an assurance that the command would be distracted by the achievements made but would continue to ensure the safety of the people and their properties