The Zone 16 Police Command, headquartered in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has arrested six suspects linked to internet fraud, car theft, and ritual activities.
According to a statement released on Thursday, December 19, 2024, by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Emonena Gunn, the suspects were apprehended on December 17 at Progress Estate, Eneka, Rukpokwu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The arrests were made during a covert operation by the Zonal Anti-Money Laundering/Countering Financing Terrorism team, led by CSP Isaac Uhawha, following credible intelligence.
The suspects include:
Emmanuel Chinedu, 34, from Anambra State
Uche Darlington Mark, 33, from Abia State
Micah Douglas, 22, from Rivers State
Stephen Martins, 29, from Rivers State
Jack Prosper, 22, from Rivers State
Shimkayah Oju Ibor, 18, from Rivers State
The police revealed that the suspects impersonated Canadian actor Keanu Reeves to defraud two victims: a Finnish woman named Kirsi of €1,300 and an American woman named Brenda of $12,000.
Recovered items from the operation include:
A white Mercedes GLK 350 SUV (2009 model)
Diabolic ritual items such as spiritual soaps, red cloths, and oil
Two laptops, phones, and other electronic devices
Canadian Loud (a form of hard drugs)
The statement added that the recovered items were used as tools in the syndicate’s cybercrime activities.
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to engaging in multiple fraudulent operations amounting to over ₦700 million.
The suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court after the conclusion of the investigation.
SP Gunn reassured the public that the Zone 16 Command remains committed to collaborating with residents of Bayelsa and Rivers States to combat cybercrime and transnational organized crime.
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokum, emphasized the Nigerian Police Force’s dedication to leveraging advanced technology to protect citizens both physically and in the digital space.
He reiterated the commitment to holding cybercriminals accountable under Nigerian law.
Scores of persons were confirmed to have been killed by unknown gunmen in Garin Baka village of Ardo-Kola Local Government Read more
In 2016, Ibrahim Ogbanago, a security officer working at a UBA branch in Ikeja, Lagos State gained prominence for returning Read more
Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, and Ayo Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti State, have drawn conflicting responses Read more
A video which has stirred reactions from Nigerians online shows officials of the Lagos State Rail Transport pushing a train. Read more
