The painful journey of Gloria George, a devastated mother from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, began on the fateful night of September 10, 2024. Her 34-year-old son, Horsefall Rowland, promised to return home after a meeting at Peter Odili Road and the Government Reserved Area (GRA) but never made it back.
A Night of Anxiety and Heartbreak
According to Gloria, her son assured her over a phone call at around 10 p.m. that he was on his way home. But as the hours passed, Gloria’s calls to him went unanswered, heightening her fears. Her worst nightmare became a reality when, at 5 a.m. the following day, Rowland called to tell her he was in grave danger.
“He told me he had been kidnapped and begged for N30,000 to appease the captors,” Gloria recounted. The family sent the money, hoping it would secure his release. But the kidnappers’ demands didn’t stop. They demanded a further ransom of N2.5 million, which was later reduced to N300,000. Despite the family meeting this demand, Rowland’s body was later discovered along Queens/Kings Bakery Abuloma Road, Port Harcourt.
The Agonizing Details
Gloria, in her report to the police, explained how the kidnappers sent threatening voice notes and photos to Rowland’s girlfriend. These messages warned the family that failure to meet their demands would result in Rowland’s death.
“We sent the N300,000 to Rowland’s account, but that was the last time we heard from him,” she said, her voice trembling with grief.
Police Investigation Uncovers Grim Truth
The Rivers State Police Command launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of five suspects: Endurance Thompson (23), Boma Otonye (41), David Ishaku (34), Moses Benjamin (29), and Emmanuel (32).
The alleged ringleader, Thompson, confessed to the crime, revealing that Rowland was killed after he attempted to buy cocaine using fake bank alerts.
A Shocking Confession
In his statement, Thompson said Rowland had been a regular customer since December 2023, purchasing cocaine from him. However, he discovered that Rowland had been using fraudulent bank alerts to avoid payment.
“He owed me N150,000 and claimed to have transferred N8,000 and N20,000,” Thompson said. “When I checked my account, the funds didn’t reflect. I raised an alarm, and he was beaten. Later, when he begged for medical help, I took him to a friend, but he died on the way.”
Rowland’s lifeless body was eventually dumped along Abuloma Road by Thompson and his accomplices.
Police Efforts and Ongoing Investigation
The Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that Rowland’s body had been deposited in the morgue. She assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects involved in the heinous act.
A Mother’s Agony
As Gloria mourns the loss of her son, this tragic tale serves as a grim reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows of society. Rowland’s death, a product of deceit and violence, highlights the urgent need for stronger measures against crime and substance abuse in the community.
Stay tuned to NIGPOST for more updates on this heartbreaking story and other news shaping our society.
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