The Bayelsa State Police Command has announced the arrest of 26 suspects linked to various criminal activities, including cultism, attempted armed robbery, vandalism, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms.
The Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Edebor, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Yenagoa.
He explained that the arrests were part of intensified operations in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to enforce zero tolerance for crime across the country.
According to Edebor, the command remains committed to ensuring the safety of residents and maintaining law and order in Bayelsa State.
One of the major breakthroughs highlighted was the recovery of a stolen white Toyota Hiace bus valued at about ₦145 million. The vehicle, bearing registration number SAG 584 EA, was reportedly stolen before being traced to Lagos.
Providing details of the investigation, Edebor said:
“The principal suspect, Anyankpele Ebiowei, was arrested in Warri. His confession led to the arrest of two other suspects, Alhaji Jibo Aluseyni, 60, and Hassan Mumuni, 48, who allegedly purchased the vehicle without proper documentation.
“Investigations further revealed that the bus had been resold through one Sefiu Abbas, 38, to a Lagos-based auto dealer, Alhaji Sikiru Jimoh, who is currently at large, for ₦38 million.
“The vehicle was subsequently recovered in Lagos by operatives of Operation Puff Adder. All arrested suspects have confessed and will be charged in court, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
“In another operation, police arrested three suspects—Lucky Boro, 24; Tony Akpose, 24; and Tari Lokosi, 26—for alleged attempted armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms. They were intercepted during a stop-and-search operation at Ebis Road Junction, Biogbolo, Yenagoa.”
Further operations led to the arrest of Emmanuel Agadaga Akene in Yenagoa, where a locally made pistol concealed in a polythene bag was recovered.
In another case, George John was taken into custody following an assault complaint filed by a final-year student of Niger Delta University. A search of his residence resulted in the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol, a battle axe, a machete, and other weapons.
The police also intercepted four suspects travelling in a Dangote Cement truck along the East-West Road, recovering two locally made double-barrelled guns and 18 rounds of live ammunition.
In a separate development, the command confirmed the arrest of a suspected serial killer wanted by the Ebonyi State Police Command for multiple murder cases.
Edebor called on residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, assuring that the state remains hostile to criminal activities.
He reiterated that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, while operations to track down fleeing suspects remain ongoing.
