Metro
Police bust ritualist gang targeting Uber drivers in Rivers
The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended a graduate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, for allegedly luring cab drivers to ritualists.
He will face charges in court, according to the State police command.
Spokesperson of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Iringe-Koko, said the arrest of the suspect, Anthony Chima, aged 35, a graduate of Political Science from the university followed the sudden disappearance of an Uber driver identified as Oghenevwarhe Akpobome, upon which operatives swung into action.
She stated that after his arrest, the suspect confessed to how he was recruited into a gang that specialized in luring cab drivers into ambushes, stealing their vehicles, and ultimately murdering them for ritualistic purposes and organ harvesting.
The statement read, “In a shocking turn of events, the Rivers State Police have uncovered a disturbing criminal enterprise that has been targeting Uber drivers in the region.
“The investigation was sparked by the disappearance of one such driver, Oghenevwarhe Barry Akpobome, leading to the arrest and confession of 35-year-old Anthony Chima, a political science graduate from the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.
“According to Chima’s testimony, he was recruited into a gang that specialized in luring cab drivers into ambushes, stealing their vehicles, and ultimately murdering them for ritualistic purposes and organ harvesting.”
Iringe-Koko further said, “Chima revealed that he was brought into the fold by a friend, Amfoh Abu, who introduced him to the gang’s armourer, a man known as “Reason,” and the notorious ringleader, “General Effizy,” a prominent figure in the Greenland cult and a seasoned kidnapper.
“The chilling details of Akpobome’s demise emerged as Chima recounted the events of January 10, 2024. On that fateful day, he was summoned to Reason’s residence and instructed to call a driver whose number he had previously collected. Posing as a passenger, Chima then lured the unsuspecting Uber driver to a remote area in Aminigboko, where he and Reason were met by General Effizy and four armed gang members.
“The driver was forcibly removed from the vehicle and taken to Effizy’s shrine, where he was bound, gagged, and ultimately murdered.”
The statement added, “Chima’s involvement in the gruesome act was confirmed when the police, following his confession, recovered the victim’s skull and a locally fabricated Beretta pistol from Effizy’s residence.
“This disturbing revelation has sent shockwaves through the community”
To this effect, the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, had advised both citizens and Uber drivers to exercise caution when boarding or transporting passengers, especially to remote or potentially dangerous areas.
“The investigation is ongoing, with the authorities still searching for the fleeing suspects involved in this chilling criminal enterprise.
“The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk in the shadows and the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the public in maintaining the safety of all citizens. Meanwhile, the suspect would be charged to court immediately,” the state police image maker stated.
A 77-year-old Nigerian Uber driver, Olatunji W. Bolaji, was killed in a shooting outside a hookah lounge in Philadelphia, United States.
Bolaji, who lived in Norristown, Pennsylvania, was on duty around 2 a.m. on Wednesday when he picked up a passenger, a 22-year-old man, outside the Byblos Hookah Bar near Rittenhouse Square in Centre City, CBS reports on Friday.
Police said shortly after Bolaji picked up the young man, another vehicle pulled up behind his SUV, and two men got out.
One of them opened fire, shooting both Bolaji and the passenger.
Despite being shot in the head, Bolaji managed to drive a short distance before crashing into a pole at 17th and Chestnut Streets.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His passenger, who sustained gunshot wounds to the arm, leg, and stomach, was rushed to Jefferson University Hospital in critical condition.
Police say the shooting was captured on surveillance cameras, and the attackers were in a black Jeep Grand Cherokee believed to have Massachusetts number plates.
Authorities are still trying to determine the motive behind the attack. Investigators believe there may have been a physical altercation between the passenger and the suspects before the shooting.
Ride-hailing platform Uber has expressed sadness over the incident.
“Our hearts break for the driver’s family and loved ones in the wake of this devastating loss.
“We’ve reached out to police to offer our support as they work to bring those responsible for this heinous act of violence to justice,” the company said in a statement.
Neighbours have expressed grief over the killing of Bolaji, describing his family as quiet and hardworking.
A long-time family friend who once lived with Bolaji told NBC10 that he was a kind man who was always ready to help others.
He described Bolaji as a dedicated worker, a loving partner, and a proud father whose son is a college graduate.
According to the friend, Bolaji’s family is devastated by his death and is seeking justice.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Bolaji’s family.
The funds will go toward funeral and memorial expenses, as well as living and counselling costs during their period of mourning.
The Zamfara State Police Command has rescued six kidnapped victims following a search-and-rescue operation.
In a statement, the spokesperson for the command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the victims were rescued on Friday when a joint police and Community Protection Guard team on highway patrol along the Anka-Gummi Road noticed an abandoned ash-coloured Peugeot 206 by the roadside.
Abubakar said, suspecting a kidnapping incident, security operatives immediately launched a search operation, leading to the safe recovery of the six victims.
Those rescued, according to him, were Bakiru Muhammad Masama, Alyh DanTani Masama, Aminu Aliyu Bukkuyum, Ahmad Muhammad Masama, Umar Sa’idu Ruwan Jema and Shehu Mulluwa.
Parts of the statement read, “The rescued persons have since been reunited with their families.
“The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba, commended the operatives for their prompt response.
“He reassured the public of the command’s relentless effort in collaboration with sister security agencies to rescue all kidnapped victims and ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.
“CP Maikaba further urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency for immediate action.”
Abubakar stressed that the state police command remained resolute in its mission to dismantle criminal networks and restore lasting peace in the state.
In what can be said to be a mystery, two suspected lovers were found dead in a room on Friday at Alo in Ankpa local government of Kogi State.
The duo suspected to be lovers were found dead stark naked on the man’s bed.
The deceased persons were identified as Sheriff Salifu and Blessing Adama both from Ankpa.
Confirming the incident, Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Ovye Aya who described the incident as sudden and unnatural, said the command was investigating the cause of the deaths.
SP Aya narrated that one Salisu Ibrahim from Alo in Ankpa came to the station at about 12 noon to report that his tenant, one Sheriff Salifu did not come out of his room as usual at about 09:31am.
“So, the brother of the deceased entered the room through the ceiling and met his brother and one Blessing Adama of Ojogobi Road Ankpa lying lifeless in the room. Both deceased were seen naked,” he said.
As a result, the PPRO stated that the Divisional Police Officer in Ankpa detailed detectives to the scene where they saw the bodies of the deceased persons, took photograph of them and the bodies to the zonal hospital in Ankpa where they were confirmed dead.
The state police spokesperson stated further that the bodies were also taken for postmortem examination to determine the cause of their death.
“But the family of the Sheriff requested that the body should be released to them. So, he has been buried according to Islamic rites, while the remains of Blessing Adama is still deposited at the mortuary,” Aya said.
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