The Police Command in Rivers has arrested a 13-member criminal gang that specialised in hijacking of articulated vehicles carrying goods.
The suspects include four Nigerian Army personnel, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and eight civilians.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko said in a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that the suspects had been implicated in several armed robbery attacks in the state.
She said that the command first received reports of the gang’s activities on March 4.
“The command received a distress call around 11.00p.m. regarding burglars attempting to vandalise warehouses in Elimbgu community, Rivers.
“Upon receiving the call, the command promptly mobilised to the scene, and arrested five suspects who had been severely beaten by a mob.
“The injured suspects were immediately taken to the police hospital, and thereafter, investigation began,” she said.
Iringe-Koko mentioned that in the course of investigation, it was discovered that one of the suspects, West Isaac (08NA/61/2653), was a Corporal in the Nigerian Army serving in Delta.
She said that another suspect named Jabila Kammangar with the nickname Kaka, was also identified to be an NSCDC officer serving in Kabba, Kogi.
“Both the soldier and NSCDC officer confessed to abandoning their posts to partake in criminal activities in Rivers,” she added.
The police officer further said that West, a 36-year old father of four, joined the army in 2008 and was assigned to the 3 Battalion, Warri.
She said that investigation revealed that West sought and was granted sick leave but overstayed with about one month before his arrest.
“West told investigators that he met Kammangar while serving in the army’s anti-bunkering unit, and that they have been engaging in various unlawful acts.
“He mentioned that he travelled to Port Harcourt at Kammangar’s request for the warehouse raid that led to their apprehension.
“Further probing revealed that West and Kammangar were part of a larger criminal network specialised in armed robbery, hijacking, and diversion of goods,” she said.
Iringe-Koko alleged that West confessed to police officers that the criminal syndicate included other army personnel.
According to her, the gang also collaborates with a network of informants who supply them details about the schedules of truck-bearing goods.
She said that the suspects who always dressed in full military gear during operations, used intelligence from their informants to locate the movement of target trucks.
“They will intercept the truck with their Toyota Hilux van, beat and intimidate the drivers before diverting the trucks to already waiting receivers,” she said.
Iringe-Koko said that three other army personnel, Abdul Musa (13NA/70/10545), Mgbe Jeoffrey (16NA/75/6896) and Innocent Okwoli (12NA/68/6552) were apprehended following West’s revelations.
She said that the four soldiers had been dismissed by the Nigeria Army and handed over to the police for further inquiry and legal action.
The police spokesperson further said that eight civilian collaborators of the gang were arrested in the process.
She said that a man identified as Okwoli, stationed at Intel Logistics, Onne, Rivers, was identified as the gang’s key coordinator.
The police image maker said that Okwoli and his associates successfully hijacked a trailer carrying fertilizers valued N25 million, belonging Alhaji Sadiq Adams on Feb. 17.
“In February 2024, the group intercepted and diverted a 40-foot container loaded with imported clothing from China, while on March 4, they attempted to burgle warehouses belonging to Emmanuel Nwagwu and Ndifreke Ekanem.
“In February, the gang commandeered a truck transporting POP cement, but the police was able to recover the goods.
“We are also making efforts to retrieve a trailer load of fertiliser from their accomplices. The white Toyota Hilux used in their operations has been recovered from the NSCDC officer,” she disclosed.
She said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, commended the military for their cooperation and affirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring effective prosecution.(NAN)
