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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Operatives of Hawk Tactical Team of the Rivers State Police Command, on Tuesday, arrested eight people suspected to be involved in cybercrime and kidnapping.
The operatives, who acted on reliable intelligence on the activities of some suspected kidnappers and cyber fraudsters in the state, raided a hideout in Cypo Estate, Umuebule 1, Etche Local Government Area in Rivers.
Daily Sun gathered that during the operation, eight suspects, namely; Desmond Williams (19), Isaac Patrick (22), Prince Nelson (17), John Ahmed (17), Thankgod Neesogho aged 22, Christian Adewale (22), Uche Alaga (16) and Nwika Fakae (22) all male, were arrested, while a victim (name withheld), aged 20 years, was rescued.
The state police command disclosed that the suspects in their confession revealed that their modus operandi included defrauding innocent victims online, fleecing them of their hard-earned money, luring unsuspecting victims to their hideout and using them as baits to fleece their family members and loved ones. Police sources said the victim was lured by his friend who promised to give him a job in the hotel.
“When the job wasn’t forthcoming, the victim opted to go back to his home. But, his captors wouldn’t let him. For his insistence, the victim was beaten severely and inflicted with body injuries. Suspects, thereafter, demanded N500,000 ransom from the victim’s parents.”
Exhibits recovered from them were seven laptops and some substance suspected to be illicit hard drugs.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the development, added that investigation was ongoing.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, has advised parents to monitor the activities of their children and be wary of the friends they keep.
Okon urged residents of the state to remain supportive, law-abiding, and vigilant, as well as promptly report acts of crime and criminality to the nearest police station, or by calling the command’s emergency hotlines.
