•Arrest 35 for cyber fraud, kidnapping, others, recover arms
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
•Suspects and the recovered ammuniions
As people go to school to read mass communication, law and engineering, among other courses, their is a fraud academy in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. At the academy, people are taught the art of swindling.
However, the Benue State Police Command has arrested a gang of eight internet fraudsters operating the fraud academy and scores of suspects for sundry crimes.
Other suspects were arrested for offences ranging from kidnapping to cultism, armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, belonging to unlaw society, attempted rape, mischief and being in unlawful possession of firearm, among others.
Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Makurdi on Tuesday, during his maiden press briefing, the state Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, said since assumption of office, he has embarked on dismantling of illegal road blocks, strengthening the anti-cyber crime and anti-kidnapping units as well as on-going operations to clamp down on bandits in several local government areas in the state.
He said between April 13 when he assumed office to May 21, 2024, the command has recorded tremendous achievements in clamping down on criminal gangs in the state, leading to over 35 arrests.
In a breakdown, CP Yabanet said the command received information about a fraud academy and operations of internet fraudster at Jerome Hwande Street Akpa-Quarters, Makurdi, and detailed police detectives to investigate the case.
According to him, “on 14/5/2024 at about 0600hrs police stormed the house and arrested one Terpase Luke Denmodi ‘m’ 23yrs and Avalumun Ayangekaa Dominic ‘m’ 24yrs, recovered seven HP laptops, one Apple note, one Cannon printer, 15 notes of Ghana cedis, two international passports, assorted cloths among other items from them.”
He said the suspects confessed to the crime, admitting that “most of their victims are foreigners and they have students who are usually trained in the fraud business at the house and they share proceed of fraud with them as they go out to practice.”
He further stated that on 14/05/2024 at about 1900hrs, information was gathered about fraudsters lodging in a hotel along Kashim Ibrahim road, Makurdi. The team of policemen from cybercrime section swung into action and raided the hotel where eight suspects were arrested in a room.
•Police officers addressing the press during the parade of the arrested criminals
The commissioner said investigation revealed that the suspects were internet fraudsters who have many social media handles on their phone that they use to defraud people of their money.
He further stated that on 06/05/2024 at about 1400hrs while some motorcyclists were plying Makurdi- Naka road, a group of armed men blocked the highway and robbed them of their motorcycles and also kidnapped one other victim and collected N2 million from the family before the victim was released.
Yabanet further disclosed that on 16/05/2024 at about 1100hrs, information was received about a group of people who were locked in a house at Terwase Agbadu extension, Makurdi and were suspected to be involved in crime.
“Upon receipt of the information, a patrol team was detailed for investigation. The following suspects were arrested at the scene: Bundepum ‘m’ 33, Ado ‘m’ 22, Ushahem ‘m’ 24, Ushambe ‘m’ 21, Ebugwe ‘m’ 25, Teryile ‘m’ 20, and Tivlumun ‘m’ 22. Exhibits recovered from them include 10 laptops, four phones, parcels of substances suspected to be illicit drugs and a camouflage uniform.
“Suspects confessed to be involved in Internet fraud and drug abuse. They are also connected to a network of fraudsters who come to train them on internet fraud from other states. Investigation is ongoing. Parents are advice to warn their children to chose Godly friends not fraudsters.
“On 16/05/2024 at about 1000hrs a group of armed cultists clashed at North-bank market and were shooting sporadically. A patrol team within the market swiftly responded to the distress call and arrested one Akulega and Aminu while other suspects escaped. The said cultist also stole items in the market at gun point after they scared traders away. During investigation, two motorcycles were recovered from the suspects. Investigation is ongoing
“Again, on 4/05/2024 at about 1030hrs while a complainant, one Regina was waiting for a motorcycle to convey her to her house along University of Agriculture road, North-Bank, Makurdi, one Ioryer ‘m’ and Inja Akulega of Asase, North-Bank conspired and pushed her into the bush where they robbed her of her phone and money at gun point.”
He warned landlords and hoteliers to be mindful of the kind of people they accommodate as they are also at risk of becoming victims and can be prosecuted for criminal conspiracy.
Yabanet, who noted that efforts are ongoing to arrest other gang members that escaped, warned criminals to desist from crime or relocate from Benue State as the command will continue to fight them with all available resources.
He urged Benue people to continue cooperating with the police by giving them useful and timely information.
While appreciating all other security agencies for their synergy and cooperation, Yabanet thanked the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun for the privilege to serve in the capacity as well as the governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia and the Benue people for all the support to the state command since his assumption of duty.
Speaking to newsmen, some of the suspects admitted to committing the crimes while others said they were mere visitors to the houses when the police carried out the raids.