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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Operatives of the Hawk Tactical Team of the Rivers State Police Command on Tuesday arrested eight persons 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 hideouts and using them as baits to fleece their family members and loved ones.
According to a police source, 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 victim’s parents.”
Exhibits recovered from them were seven laptops and some substances suspected to be illicit hard drugs.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who confirmed this development, added that the investigation was ongoing.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP 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.
