Men of the Port Harcourt Local Government Authority Area Security Watch and policemen have arrested about 12 suspected Internet fraudsters who allegedly buried a newborn alive at Andoni waterfront in Eagle Island, Rivers State capital on Wednesday.
The operation, which followed a tip-off, was carried out in conjunction with men of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Watch.
The Chairman of PLGA Security Watch who doubles as Chief Security Officer of Eagle Island, Victor Ohaji, disclosed this to journalists.
He said on getting the information that some men were digging the ground and chanting an incantation, he alerted the Azikiwe Police Division in Diobi, Port Harcourt and the officials of the state neighbourhood agency.
He said by the time he and his men got to the spot, the suspects had left but it was discovered that they buried something at the waterfront.
Ohaji said, “When we dug the place, we saw a newborn, a bouncing baby 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.
“Policemen and neighbourhood watchmen joined us to go round Eagle Island to see if we could find the suspects.
“We even moved from one hotel to another in the area, we saw them coming out from a hotel. As soon as we alighted from the car, they (the suspects) started running.
“So, we chased them and apprehended them. We took the 12 of them and the baby to the police station.”
Ohaji said one of the suspects boasted that nothing would happen to them because his father who he claimed is a senior military officer would soon arrive at the police station.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.
“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.
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