Police Crackdown in Bayelsa State: 26 Suspects Arrested, Stolen ₦145m Bus Recovered

26 suspected offenders have been detained by the Bayelsa State Police Command for a variety of offenses, including vandalism, cultism, attempted armed robbery, unauthorized firearm possession, and advance fee fraud.

Iyamah Edebor, the Commissioner of Police, revealed this to reporters at the Command Headquarters in Yenagoa.

According to Edebor, the arrests and recoveries complied with Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu’s order to have zero tolerance for criminal activity nationwide.

The Command’s dedication to preventing crime and protecting people and property in Bayelsa State was reiterated by the police commissioner.

The recovery of a stolen white Toyota Hiace bus worth around ₦145 million was one of the notable achievements.

The car, registered SAG 584 EA, was purportedly stolen before being found in Lagos.

“Anyankpele Ebiowei, the main suspect, was arrested in Warri,” stated Edebor. Two other suspects, Hassan Mumuni, 48, and Alhaji Jibo Aluseyni, 60, who reportedly bought the car without the required paperwork, were apprehended as a result of his confession.

Investigations further showed that the bus had been resold for ₦38 million to Alhaji Sikiru Jimoh, a Lagos-based auto dealer who is now at large, via Sefiu Abbas, 38.

The car was later found by Operation Puff Adder personnel in Lagos. While attempts are on to capture the fugitive suspect, all captured suspects have confessed and will face charges in court.

Three suspects—Lucky Boro, 24; Tony Akpose, 24; and Tari Lokosi, 26—were detained by police in a separate operation on suspicion of attempted armed robbery and unlawful gun possession. They were apprehended at Ebis Road Junction in Biogbolo, Yenagoa, during a stop-and-search operation.

A locally made single-barrelled pistol was recovered from them.

In a same vein, reliable information led to the arrest of Emmanuel Agadaga Akene in Yenagoa. He was found carrying a black plastic bag containing a locally manufactured single-barrelled pistol.

George John was also taken into custody by police after a Niger Delta University final-year student reported an attack.

A locally made handgun, a war axe, a machete, and other lethal weapons were found during a search of his home.

Along the East-West Road, four suspects in a Dangote Cement truck were also taken into custody.

Eighteen live bullets and two locally manufactured double-barreled firearms were found in them.

Additionally, the Command verified that a suspected serial murderer wanted by the Ebonyi State Police Command for several murders has been apprehended in Bayelsa. 

In order to keep Bayelsa secure from criminals, Edebor asked locals to keep providing reliable and timely information to the police.

During a regular nighttime patrol in Lagos State’s Idimu neighborhood on April 7, the Lagos State Police Command apprehended three alleged armed robbers.

The procedure required when officers on patrol along the Car Wash Bus Stop by First Bank intercepted three men riding on a motorcycle.