A popular fashion designer from Port Harcourt, Hope Georgewill, was brutally murdered by suspected pirates after his family paid a ransom of N2 million, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed. The police have since recovered Georgewill’s body, but four of the pirates allegedly involved in the crime were killed in a gunfight with law enforcement officers.
Hope Georgewill, the Chief Executive Officer of HMG Attitude Ltd, was kidnapped on March 26, 2025, alongside two other passengers when pirates ambushed their boat along the Cotton Channel in the Bakana River, located in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. The abduction, which shocked the local community, prompted widespread outrage and condemnation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police, confirmed that Georgewill’s body had been recovered after a ransom payment was made to the kidnappers. Despite the family’s effort to secure his release, the pirates mercilessly killed him.
“The Rivers State Police Command has made significant progress in an earlier report regarding the unfortunate kidnap and subsequent murder of one Hope Georgewill, the Chief Executive Officer of HMG Attitude Ltd,” the statement read. “Georgewill was abducted alongside two others on March 26, 2025, along the Cotton Channel, Bakana River, by a gang of notorious sea pirates.”
The police also revealed that Georgewill’s kidnapping was carried out by a group led by a man identified as Preye Ngian-Ngian, a native of Degema Local Government Area. The gang, believed to be part of a larger network of sea pirates operating in the region, initially demanded a ransom for the victims’ release. Georgewill’s family paid the N2 million, but tragically, the kidnappers still murdered him.
Following the kidnapping, the Rivers State Police Command, in collaboration with intelligence gathered from two suspects arrested in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, launched a tactical operation to locate the pirates’ hideout. On April 3, 2025, the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU) from Emohua, with support from other police operatives, tracked down the gang to a creek off the Bonny Waterway.
Upon arriving at the pirates’ hideout, the police operatives were met with intense gunfire. In the ensuing shootout, two of the suspects were fatally wounded. Several others fled the scene with injuries, while the two original suspects who had led the police to the location were apprehended with gunshot wounds.
During the operation, the police recovered several firearms, ammunition, and one operational speedboat used by the pirates. Additional items found at the hideout included two outboard motors, one with 80 horsepower and the other with 70 horsepower, a live cartridge, and food supplies that the pirates had been using.
The police also discovered Georgewill’s mobile phone at the scene. However, the SIM card had been removed by the criminals. Despite the intense exchange of fire and the arrest of the suspects, the police confirmed that all four suspects who were injured during the shootout later died from their wounds after being transported to the Police Clinic for treatment.
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended his officers for their bravery and determination in confronting the pirates. He described the operation as a significant breakthrough in the fight against maritime crime and vowed to continue the crackdown on criminals in the state.
“This is a significant breakthrough in our ongoing efforts to rid the waterways and communities of criminals,” Adepoju said. “We are committed to making Rivers State uncomfortable for those who engage in criminal activities, and we will continue to ensure the safety and security of residents and visitors to the state.”
The Commissioner also stated that the police would not rest until all the criminals operating in the waterways were apprehended and brought to justice. He assured the public that further investigations into the matter were ongoing and that more updates would be provided as the situation developed.
The tragic death of Hope Georgewill has sparked outrage and sorrow in Port Harcourt and the broader Rivers State, with many residents condemning the rise of pirate activity and kidnappings in the region. The murder of Georgewill, who was known for his contributions to the local fashion industry, has left a deep void in the hearts of his family, friends, and colleagues.
The Cotton Channel, where Georgewill was abducted, is known to be a hotspot for maritime criminal activities, particularly piracy and kidnapping for ransom. The Bakana River, which runs through Degema, has long been plagued by the presence of pirates who target boats traveling along the waterway. These pirates often demand huge sums of money from victims in exchange for their freedom, and many times, the ransom is paid without guarantee of the captives’ safe return.
In recent years, piracy has become a growing concern for authorities in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region. The area, known for its oil-rich resources, has seen an increase in criminal activities such as oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and kidnapping for ransom. This has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty for residents, particularly those living in rural and riverine communities.
Authorities have ramped up efforts to combat piracy, but the challenges are immense, given the vast network of creeks and waterways that pirates use to evade capture. Despite these challenges, law enforcement agencies in Rivers State have pledged to continue their fight against piracy and ensure that criminals are brought to justice.
Hope Georgewill’s murder is yet another reminder of the dangers posed by the pirates who have turned the once peaceful waterways of Rivers State into a battleground. The police’s swift action in the aftermath of his death, resulting in the deaths of four suspects and the recovery of crucial evidence, is a significant step in bringing the perpetrators of this crime to justice.
