The Local Government Area Security Watch in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have assisted with the Nigerian police in the arrest of no less than 12 alleged internet scammers.
According to reports, the suspects buried an infant alive along the Andoni beachfront in Eagle Island, the capital of Rivers State.
It was discovered that the suspects’ arrests were the result of reliable information that the vigilantes obtained from locals who witnessed a group of boys chanting and digging in the earth near the waterbody.
Victor Ohaji, the Chairman of PLGA Security Watch and Eagle Island’s Chief Security Officer, revealed this to reporters on Wednesday.
Ohaji said that after receiving the information, he immediately informed the officers of the state neighbourhood Agency as well as the Azikiwe Police Division in Diobi, Port Harcourt.
According to him, closer inspection revealed that the alleged “yahoo” boys had buried something at the seashore.
Adding that he ordered his workers to dig the area, where they discovered and exhumed the newborn baby boy’s lifeless body
“I immediately mobilised my men, but on getting to the spot where we were told the suspects were by the waterfront, the ‘yahoo’ boys’ had left,” he said.
When we dug the place, we saw a newborn baby, a bouncing baby boy; very fine boy that they buried.
”Immediately I called the Situation Officer of Eagle Island and informed him of our discovery so that he could relate to the Divisional Police Officer he was working with.
“Immediately, the police and neighbourhood watchmen joined us. So we started going around Eagle Island to see if we could find the suspects.
“We even moved from one hotel to another in the area, and lo and behold, we saw them coming out from a hotel. And as soon as we highlighted from the car, they (suspects) started running.
“So, we chased after them and apprehended them. There were twelve of them. So we took them to the police station and the baby.
“While we were there, the leader of these yahoo boys was shouting, ranting that his father was a Major General and that nothing would happen.
“He said even if they bury an adult, nothing will happen. The boy went on ranting that his father was coming. So we handed them to the police.”
Speaking on the development, the state police spokesman, Grace Iringe-koko stated that they have swung into action to investigate the investigation.
“Yes, we can confirm the incident. They were arrested by the police with the help of vigilantes. The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation”, she said.
