Police foil theft of N7.2b gas turbine, arrest vandals in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State Police Command says it has intercepted an attempt by hoodlums to steal a Russian gas turbine worth N7.2 billion at Etelebou, Gbarain community in Yenagoa Local Council .

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Asuquo Amba, who made the disclosure yesterday at a news conference in the state capital, said: ‘’On January 29, 2017 at about 1400 hours through information, the police intercepted a Russian gas turbine at Etelebou, Gharain and prevented the removal of the said turbine valued at about N7.2 billion.

“Seven suspects were arrested and five trucks recovered. Investigation is ongoing.’’

He also said the police had arrested one of the suspected kidnappers that allegedly killed a soldier and a civilian along the Angiama river between Bayelsa and Delta states in July 2016.

He said: “‘On July 5, 2016, one Captain Buruma, male, who was in charge of a vessel, Yade One, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen along Angiama river between Bayelsa and Delta states, during which an army personnel and a civilian were killed.

‘’The victim was held hostage for about 63 days together with two others: one Sunny Andy and Bernard Narebo, along Azuzuama area of Bayelsa State before he was released by his captors.

‘’One of the kidnappers, Shola Job, male, 24 years from Azuzuama community, was sighted at Okutukuku in Yenagoa on February 1, 2017 at about 2:00 p.m. in Yenagoa by one of the victims who raised the alarm and he (Job) was arrested. The suspect is undergoing interrogation and investigation is ongoing.’’

The CP further said on January 29, 2017, the command control room received a distress call from one Toju Adama from Ogborikoko, Warri in Delta State, that his Hilux van was stolen and was traced to Agudama Ekpetiama in Bayelsa State.

He said operatives from the state command swung into action and arrested the occupants of the Hilux, one John Ogah, male, a dismissed soldier from Cross River State, but his cohort, one Shedrack, escaped at the scene.

He said a bunch of master keys were recovered from the suspect, noting that upon interrogation, four other Toyota Camry cars were recovered each from Andrew Henry of Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Council of the state, Ndubuisi Okafor from Ebonyi State, Godday Berenege from Amassoma and Taye Afolabi from Osun State.

The police boss said the Hilux van plate number is APP 883 XN, the Toyota Camry cars’ plate numbers are SMK 20 AY, FKJ 290 DY, EPE 612 EM and the last one is without registration number.

He added that on February 1, 2017, at about 8.30am, one Bibowei Kelvin, male, from Amassoma town, a student of the Niger Delta University, Department of Fine and Applied Arts, was arrested during a cult clash with a rival gang.

He said one locally-made pistol and a live cartridge was recovered from the suspect.

He said the successes recorded by the command since he assumed office were due to the synergy between the police and critical stakeholders in the state such as paramount rulers, community leaders and youths.