The Bayelsa State Police Command has paraded celebrity kidnapper, John Lyon and others arrested in the state.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Ben Nebolisa Okolo in a press briefing on Monday in recent times the Command was confronted with reported cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism.
“I rejigged the security strategy with a special focus on tackling kidnapping and armed robbery. The strategy has paid off with the recent arrest of members of a notorious kidnapping gang by operatives of Operation Restore Peace.
“This gang has been responsible for over ten (10) high profile kidnapping in the State over a period of seven (7) years”.
The CP said that on 8th December 2020 one Akeeb Oladele Olushola ‘m’ 48 years a Manager of a new generation Bank was kidnapped at his residence at Old Commissioners Quarters Opolo and was released on the 12th December after paying a ransom of Eighty (N80) Million Naira.
“Similarly, Danjuma Omeje, a 41-year-old Manager of a new generation Bank in Yenagoa was kidnapped at his residence at Okaka, Yenagoa, on 30th July 2022, he was released on 14th July 2022 after paying a ransom of 60 million naira. Thirty (N30) Million Naira cash and US Dollar equivalent of Thirty (N30) Million Naira.
“Operatives of Operation Restore Peace through painstaking investigation arrested Emmanuel Charles Angase ‘m’ 37 years, a native of Azuzuama Community, Southern Ijaw LGA, the leader of the kidnapping gang.
“He operates a kidnapping camp at Sunikiri creek near Oluasiri in Nembe Local Government Area with his second in command one Gbalipre Gamage now at large. Police operatives recovered a brand new Toyota Avalon he bought for his wife with the proceed of ransom he collected.
“The gang leader Emmanuel Charles Angase has confessed that on 30th June 2022 at about 06:00 hours, himself, John Ewa and others at large accosted Danjuma Omeje at the entrance of his house at Okaka, kidnapped him and fled in a Blue Toyota Corolla Car with REG NO KJA 225 AY”.
According to the CP, they took the victim to their camp at Sunikiri Oluasiri, and released him on 14th July 2022 after collecting Sixty 60 million ransom.
“The suspect also confessed to the kidnap of Akeeb Oladele Olusola, a banker and Nancy Keme Dickson, who was kidnapped on 26th December 2015. He also confessed to the kidnap of Chinonso Eze and other Igbo Businessmen.
“John Ikechukwu Ewa ‘m’ 30 years aka John Lyon, a native of Eruan Community in Boki LGA, Cross River State, known for a flamboyant lifestyle on Social Media, a former cleaner with a new generation Bank, confessed to having collected Ten (10) Thousand US Dollars from the ransom collected in the kidnap of Danjuma Omeje.
“Innocent Kingsley ‘m’ 31 years, a native of Egbu Community Etche LGA, Rivers State. The owner of a Blue Toyota Corolla Car with REG NO KJA 225 AY and one Timi Werikumo ‘m’ 21 years, a native of Azuzuama Community Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State”.
The CP explained further that all the suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.
“The Bayelsa State Police Command under my watch has firmly resolved to make the State uncomfortable for criminals. Our Officers are determined more than ever to rid the State of criminals’ elements and to ensure our communities are safer for businesses and economic activities to thrive”.
