Odahiekwu Ogunde
Operatives of Operation Puff Adder, State Police Headquarters, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, have smashed a car snatching syndicate operating in the state and arrested three suspects.
Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Nkereuwem Akpan, stated this on Wednesday while parading the three suspects and others involved in armed robbery.
Akpan, who said the arrest of the three suspected car snatchers was based on a tip-off, noted that the syndicate constantly infiltrated Yenagoa, the state capital, from neighbouring Imo and Ebonyi states, to unlawfully sell stolen vehicles, popularly called ‘mini bus.’
He said on June 12, about 4pm, a team of policemen attached to Puff Adder was detailed to Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state, where one Chinemerem Emereonye, an indigene of Imo State, was arrested at a motor park.
Akpan stated, “The suspect confessed to have snatched three mini buses from neighbouring states and sold same to residents of Amassoma in Bayelsa.
“Investigation further led to the arrest of one Edolor Ekiyoukekeme and Ogunleye Ebenezer, both of Amassoma community who are the receivers of the stolen items.
“Three mini buses recovered from the suspects include Daihatsu mini bus with plate-number AFK 235 ZY, Daihatsu mini bus with number plate BKL 117 ZJ and one mini bus with plate-number BKL 124 ZJ.
“Efforts are on top gear to contact the owners in Imo State and prosecution will be carried out later.”
The police commissioner also said on June 26, 2020, at about 8pm, along NDDC Road, Otuoke, Ogbia LGA of the state, one Tom Osain, male, conspired with one Ikechukwu, male, surname unknown, now on the run, robbed one Anthony Washington, male, of his Qlink motorcycle valued N250,000at gun point.
Akpan said Osain shot Washington on his right hand, which caused him serious harm to the extent that he could no longer use the hand to do anything.
He added, “During the robbery, Osain’s gun fell down and he came back to the scene of crime early in the morning to search for his gun which he used in shooting Washington when members of a vigilance group from Otuoke held him and handed him over to Kolo Police Station.
“The Divisional Police Officer of Kolo in turn transferred him immediately to Operation Puff Adder, Police Headquarters, Yenagoa, who interrogated him. The suspect confessed to the crime wherein the motorcycle was recovered.
“Investigation is ongoing and the suspect will be charged to court in due course.”