The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended five suspected members of the Iceland cult group for the kidnapping and murder of Rowland Horsfall, a 34-year-old entertainer popularly known as Speech Horsfall. Horsfall, a radio presenter, event host, and On-Air Personality (OAP), was abducted in September 2024.
Police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement released on Tuesday, 21st January 2025, revealed that the suspects not only kidnapped Horsfall but also extorted a ransom from his mother even after killing him.
The ordeal began on 10th September 2024, when Horsfall left his residence in Peace Valley Estate, Woji, to attend meetings in Port Harcourt. Later that evening, he informed his mother that he was returning home. However, the following morning, he called his mother, stating he was being held hostage and demanded N300,000 to retrieve his seized phone.
The abductors subsequently increased their ransom demand to N2.5 million, threatening dire consequences if their demands were not met. They sent threatening pictures and voice notes to Horsfall’s girlfriend, further emphasising the gravity of their threats.
Despite paying the initial N300,000, Horsfall remained in captivity. The suspects ultimately beat him to death and dumped his remains along Queens/Kings Bakery Road, Abuloma, Port Harcourt.
Suspicious of the escalating demands, Horsfall’s mother contacted the police. Acting on her complaint, police officers launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of prime suspect Endurance Friday Thompson in Woji Town on 3rd November 2024.
During interrogation, Thompson confessed to the crime, detailing how he and his gang members held Horsfall captive, murdered him after failing to secure the full ransom, and disposed of his body.
Following Thompson’s arrest, four other suspects were apprehended: Boma Otonye a.k.a. Excess Chief (41), David Link Ishaku a.k.a. Biggy (34), Moses Nsikak Benjamin a.k.a. Aboy (29), and Emmanuel Aniete (32). All suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime.
The police command has intensified efforts to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.
Iringe-Koko urged the public, particularly young people, to be cautious of their associations and movements to avoid falling victim to criminal elements.
