Exhibits recovered from the suspects
By TYAV SAM TYAV, Makurdi –
The Benue State Police Command has discovered and ransacked a fraud academy as well as the operations of the Internet fraudsters in Makurdi.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, Hassan Steve Yabanet, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing newsmen at the state command in Makurdi.
CP Yabanet said the command learnt of the fraud academy and operations of Internet fraudster in Makurdi, at Jerome Hwande Street Ankpa-Quarters, Makurdi and following the investigation by the police.
According to him, one Terpase Luke Denmodi ‘m’ 23yrs and Avalumun Ayangekaa Dominic ‘m’ 24yrs were arrested and items recovered from them include; seven (7) Hp laptops, one (1) Apple note, one (1) Cannon printer, fifteen (15) notes of Ghana cedis, two international passports, assorted cloths among other items.
He said the suspects confessed to the crime, stating that most of their victims were foreigners and they have students that are usually trained in the fraud business at the house, adding that the trainees share proceed of fraud with them as they go out to practice.
Investigation, according to Yabanet was ongoing to crack down the network of fraudsters in Benue State even as they would soon be charged to Court after investigation.
The Police Commissioner also informed of the arrest of some kidnappers who on the arrival of the police engaged them in a gun duel but were over powered by the police superior fire power which led to the arrest of one Michael Dickson Orinya ‘m’ 19yrs, Ebia Omirigwe ‘m’ 25yrs and Ejeh Miriam ‘f’ 21yrs all of various addresses in Otukpo.
He disclosed that one of the suspects sustained a gunshot injury and was rushed to Benue State University Teaching Hospital where he was confirmed dead and corpse deposited at the hospital.
Yabanet revealed that items recovered from them at the scene include; one AK-47 riffle loaded with fifteen rounds of live ammunition, seven Point of Sale (POS) machine and one hundred and fifty (150) ATM cards of different banks.
The Benue State Police boss informed also of the arrest of kidnapper/ militia group which was terrorising motorcyclists who were plying Makurdi- Naka road.
Yabanet disclosed that it was in the course of the kidnapping that one victim raised an alarm that led to the arrest of one suspect named Mohammed Ibrahim ‘m’ 21yrs, who could not meet up with his other colleagues as they were being chased.
Already the suspect as revealed by the CP has confessed to the crime, stating that he and his gang members usually kidnap people along Naka Road and collect ransom.
According to the CP, some fraudsters also lodged in a hotel along Kashim Ibrahim road, Makurdi and the team of Policemen from Cybercrime Section swung into action and raided the hotel where eight (8) suspects were arrested in a room; one Usman Aliu ‘m’ 30yrs, Orga Israel ‘m’ 24yrs, David Tersoo ‘m’ 24yrs, Aondofa Michael ‘m’ 23yrs, Tega Wisdom ‘m’ 25yrs, Alexander Torgbenda ‘m’ 21yrs, Emmanuel Idyede ‘m’ 23yrs and Elvis Francis ‘m’ 26yrs
He told journalists that the suspects were internet fraudsters who have many social medial handles on their phone that they use to defraud people of their monies.
The Police boss warned landlords and hoteliers to be mindful of the kind of people they accommodate as they are also at risk of becoming victims and could be prosecuted for criminal conspiracy.
According to police commissioner, the command also arrested some cultists/ armed robbers, those involved in criminal conspiracy as well as those involved in mischief and were in.possession of firearms.
He commended the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia for the support to carry out his duties, while appreciating the Benue people for also doing their best to enable the police function better.
The police boss, further, assured that he was determined to make Benue a crime free community.
