The alleged burial of a newborn baby alive at the Andoni waterfront in Eagle Island, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, led to the arrest of 12 suspected internet scammers.
The suspects were taken into custody on Wednesday morning, August 23, 2023, by the Port Harcourt Local Government Authority Area Security Watch, Rivers State Neighbourhood Watch, and police.
The arrest came as a result of reliable information the vigilante received from locals who saw a group of boys chanting and digging by the water.
Victor Ohaji, who serves as both the chief security officer and chairman of the PLGA Security Watch, told news reporters about the incident.
The Azikiwe Police Division in Diobi, Port Harcourt, and the representatives of the state neighborhood Agency, he claimed, were informed as soon as he received the information.
“I then immediately mobilized my men, but when we got to the area where we were told the suspects were by the waterfront, the ‘yahoo’ boys’ had left,” he said.
However, Ohaji claimed that upon closer inspection it was found that the alleged “yahoo” boys had buried something at the waterfront.
The Eagle Island CSO claimed that after ordering his men to dig, they discovered and exhumed a newborn baby boy’s lifeless body.
He claimed that after searching the area for the suspects, which they eventually saw emerging from a hotel, his men, the police, and neighborhood men went there.
“When we dug the location, we discovered a newborn baby, a boy who was bouncing. that they buried was a very fine boy. In order for him to share our discovery with the Divisional Police Officer he is collaborating with, I immediately called Eagle Island’s Situation Officer and told him about it.
The neighborhood watchmen and police arrived right away to help.
So, in an effort to locate the suspects, we began searching Eagle Island.
We even switched hotels in the neighborhood, and lo and behold, we spotted them leaving one of the buildings. We highlighted from the car, and the suspects immediately began to flee.
“As a result, we pursued them and caught them. Twelve of them were present. We then took the infant and them to the police station. ” .
“While we were there, the leader of these yahoo boys was shouting and ranting, saying that his father is a Major General and that nothing will happen.
Even if they bury a full human being, he claimed, nothing would change. The boy continued to yell that his father was on the way. So we gave them to the authorities. “.
Ohaji urged the government of Rivers State to provide the group with vehicles and logistics so they can build on the good work they are already doing.
“All we ask for is peace in the state. Therefore, he added, “the government should kindly help us.
An investigation is ongoing, according to Grace Iringe-Koko, a spokeswoman for the state police command, who confirmed the incident.
We can confirm the incident, yes. With the aid of vigilantes, the police were able to apprehend them. The State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department has taken over the investigation of the situation. “.
