The Assistant Inspector General of Police assured residents of Bayelsa and Rivers states of the zone’s dedication to safeguarding the cyberspace and ensuring that perpetrators face justice.
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – The Zone 16 Command of the Nigeria Police Force, headquartered in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has arrested six suspects in connection with alleged cybercrime activities.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Emonena Gunn, disclosed that the suspects were apprehended on Wednesday at Progress Estate, Eneka, Rukpoku, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The operation was carried out by the Zonal Anti-Money Laundering/Countering Financing Terrorism team led by CSP Isaac Uhawha.
The arrested suspects include Shimkayah Oju Ibor (18), Jack Prosper (22), Stephen Martins (29), and Micah Douglas (22), all from Rivers State. Others are Emmanuel Chinedu (34) from Anambra State and Uche Darlington Mark (33) from Abia State.
During the raid, the police recovered a white 2009 GLK 350 Mercedes Benz SUV, ritual paraphernalia such as spiritual soaps, red cloth, oil, and three white containers, along with laptops, phones, other electronic devices, and Canadian Loud, a hard drug. These items are believed to have been used in the suspects’ cybercrime operations.
According to the statement, the suspects confessed to defrauding victims of approximately €1,300 and $12,000. The victims include a Finnish woman named Kirsi and an American woman named Brenda, whom the suspects impersonated Canadian actor Keanu Reeves to defraud.
“The suspects were involved in fraudulent activities amounting to over N700 million,” Gunn said, adding that they would face prosecution once investigations are concluded.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16 Command, Adebola Hamzat, commended the operatives for their efforts and reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling cybercrime and transnational organized criminal activities. He assured residents of Bayelsa and Rivers states of the zone’s dedication to safeguarding the cyberspace and ensuring that perpetrators face justice.
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