Owei, 19, an ex-convict from Ikibiri community in Yenagoa local government area, is one of the five most wanted criminals in Bayelsa.
Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the suspected killer of a National Youth Service Corps member, James Onuh.
According to the authorities, Prince Owei, aka Big Fela, a notorious armed robber and cultist, was fingered in the 2016 killing of Onuh at Obele road, Yenagoa, while the victim was using an ATM.
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Owei, 19, an ex-convict (twice for armed robbery) from Ikibiri community in Yenagoa local government area, is one of the five most wanted criminals in Bayelsa.
He had served at the Okaka Medium Prison facilities and Ahoada Maximum Prison for various offences ranging from cult activities to robbery and murder.
Owei was arrested by the special tactical team of the State Police Command following a direct order from the State Police Commissioner, Mr Austin Iwar, to clamp down on cultists and armed robbers in the south-south state.
Confirming the arrest of the suspect, police spokesman Asinim Butswat said that Owei was arrested at the Sports Complex, Yenagoa, on his way to watch a football match.
A locally-made revolver, one live cartridge and packets of Rohypnol tablets were recovered from him.
Butswat confirmed that Owei is an ex-convict and a confessed member of the Icelanders cult gang.
He would be charged to court when investigations are concluded, Butswat said.
The spokesman disclosed that, following reported cases of cultism and armed robbery in Yenagoa metropolis, activities which have eroded public safety, Iwar set up a tactical unit charged with confronting cultism and armed robbery in the state capital.
“Seven specialized units headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, were ordered to carry out sporadic and targeted operations in flash points areas within Yenagoa metropolis. Operatives have been dispatched to hot spots on intelligence gathering and surveillance on such miscreants. The Command is determined to ensure the safety of lives and properties and is appealing to members of the public to provide useful information that will assist the Police in fighting crime in the State,” Butswat said.