Six suspects involved in a series of criminal activities ranging from internet fraud, car theft and diabolic ritual activities have been arrested by operatives of the zone 16 police command in Bayelsa.
The Zonal Police Relations Officer, SP Emonena Gunn disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, December 19, 2024.
He said the suspects were arrested at the Progress Estate, Eneka, Rukpoku in Port Harcourt, Rivers State by officers of the Zonal Anti-Money Laundering/Countering Financing Terrorism team led by CSP Isaac Uhawha.
“The suspects who are: Emmanuel Chinedu ‘m’ 34yrs, Anambra State, Uche Darlington Mark ‘m’ 33yrs Abia State, Micah Douglas ‘m’ 22yrs Rivers State, Stephen Martins ‘m’ 29yrs Rivers State, Jack Prosper ‘m’ 22yrs Rivers State and Shimkayah Oju Ibor ‘m’ 18yrs Rivers State.
“They were arrested on the 17th day of December, 2024 at Progress Estate Eneka, Rukpokwu, Port Harcourt Rivers State, following the conduct of a covert operation by the operatives upon the receipt of credible intelligence,” the statement read.
“They impersonated a Canadian Actor named Keanurweeves and defrauded a Finnish woman named kirsi and another American USA lady named Brenda of 1,300 Euro and 12,000 Dollars respectively.
“During investigation, the operatives of the Zone recovered the following items: SUV Mercedes, White colored GLK 350 Mercedes Benz 2009 model, Diabolic ritual items such as spiritual soaps, Three (3) white containers, a red material cloths and an oil, Two (2) laptops, phones and other electronic devices, Canadian Loud (hard drugs)
“The recovered items are believed to be instruments used in the syndicate’s cybercrime operations.
“The suspects upon interrogation confessed to have been involved in a series of fraudulent activities amounting to over N700,000,000.00 (seven hundred million).
“The suspects will be arraigned in Court and prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
“The Zone 16 Command will continue to work closely with residents of Bayelsa and Rivers States to track and prosecute cyber criminals, combat cybercrime and other forms of trans-national organized criminal activities and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable under the Nigerian Laws.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokum PhD, NPM, while reaffirming the commitment of the Force to leverage the emerging technological advancement to protect the citizens of Nigeria, both physically and in the digital space, further reiterates that the force is well dedicated and well equipped to combat cases of cyber crimes in the country. ”
