Samuel Nkemakolwm, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Police Command, on Thursday, paraded 29 suspected criminals, including the alleged killer of two serving members of the National Youth Service Corps scheme and a policeman in Yenagoa.
The command said it arrested one Peter Joshua in connection with March’s killing of the corps members in the Swali community in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
Also apprehended were William Gbabofa, 30; and Ebimobewie Adisemo, 28, for attacking and killing a policeman at the Udeme Hotel, Kpansai, Yenagoa.
Parading the suspects at the police headquarters, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Uche Anozia, said the launch of the Operation Puff Adder had boosted the fight against criminals in the state.
The commissioner also paraded 14 suspects for armed robbery; 10 for cultism and five suspected kidnappers, whom he noted had been operating in the state for a long time.
Anozia stated, “On March 20, 2019, around 10.30pm, six unknown gunmen invaded the residence of Oluwatobi Popoola and George Onokpoma, who were corps members serving at the Izi-Victory International School, Swali community, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, shot and killed the corps members and stole some valuables from their residence, which included an Infinix X601 phone belonging to Popoola.
“Policemen swung into action and investigation led to the arrest of one Peter Joshua, 24, a native of Kabba, Kogi State, from whom the said Infinix X601 phone belonging to Popoola was recovered.
“The suspect confessed that the phone was given to him by one Hygenius Idekinulobi of the Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, who was arrested for another robbery case by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
“On July 7, 2019, around 5pm, operatives of the Azikoro Division arrested one Godwin Barnabas, 26, from the Otuokpoti community in the Ogbia Local Government Area of the state, and one Joel Damage, 22, an Urhobo from Delta State, for robbing one Mrs Precious Ekebuisi in her shop on the Axikoro Road, Ekeki, Yenagoa, at gunpoint and taking away two laptops and other valuables.
“In the course of investigation, the suspects confessed to the crime and others they had committed.
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“Operatives of the Operation Puff Adder raided an uncompleted building on the Azikoro-Agbura Road to arrest the fleeing gang members, who on sighting the policemen from their hideout, engaged them in a shootout, which led to the arrest of one Orubovie Israel, 19, from Isoko in Delta State, and one Victor Emmanuel, 21, from Peremabiri in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area from whom one locally-made revolver pistol loaded with one round of .9mm ammunition and one tricycle were recovered. Investigation is ongoing.
“On July 10, 2019, around 6pm, operatives of the Operation Puff Adder arrested one January Eli, a security guard attached to one Chigoze Ugodibi of the Commissioners’ Quarters in Opolo in connection with kidnapping. The suspect confessed to the crime and investigation is ongoing.”
The CP added that the command would continue to rely on the men of the Operation Puff Adder to make Bayelsa State safe for the residents.
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