The Zone 16 Police Command in Bayelsa State has paraded 10 suspects for alleged internet fraud, possession of charms, illicit drugs, and involvement in diabolical ritual activities.
Addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Yenagoa, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Ewhoborwo Gunn, said the suspects were arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The suspects include Goodwill (male), aged 23, Princewill Oguama (male), aged 20, Anyamwu Oluebube (male), aged 19, Tochukwu Ajaegbu (male), aged 27, Daniel Samuel (male), aged 21, and Akanimoh Joshua (male), aged 22. The others are Chuckwumye Ubeh (male), aged 19, Peter James (male), aged 28, Gentle Nelson (male), aged 22, and a female, Ruth Kossiwa, aged 22.
Gunn said they were arrested on Monday at No. 4, Peterson Avenue, Ogbogoro, Port Harcourt, adding that they would be arraigned in court and prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
He stated, “Their arrest followed a covert operation by the operatives upon the receipt of intelligence information, during which hard drugs and charms were recovered. “The suspects, upon interrogation, confessed to being involved in a series of fraudulent activities, as the evidence clearly shows. They will be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are completed.”
Gunn said the AIG in charge of Zone 16, Paul Alifa Omata, has reiterated the dedication of his officers to the protection of lives and property in Bayelsa and Rivers states.
According to him, the police are fulfilling their constitutional mandate, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.
While speaking to the press, the only female suspect, Ruth Kossiwa, said she was visiting her boyfriend of one month when she was arrested alongside the others on Monday morning.
In another development, officers of Zone 16 recovered a Beretta pistol with several rounds of 9mm calibre ammunition at Okaki Junction in Yenagoa, where a gang of armed robbers had been terrorising residents.