A vigilante group, the PHALGA Security Watch, in conjuction with the Rivers State Neighbourhood Watch, and Azikiwe Police Division have arrested twelve suspected internet fraudsters who allegedly buried a new born baby alive at Andoni waterfront in Eagle Island, PortHarcourt, Wednesday.
The Chairman of PHALGA Security Watch, who doubles as the Chief Security Officer of the Eagle Island Security outfit, Mr Ohaji Victor, told newsmen that he got intelligence report that some ‘yahoo’ boys were doing incantation at the waterfront.
He said he quickly mobilized his men, but on getting to the waterfront, the ‘yahoo’ boys had finished their mission and left the scene.
He, however, said on a close observation at the scene, they discovered that the suspected ‘yahoo’ boys had buried something at the waterfront.
“We have to dug the ground and discovered that a new born baby boy was buried. So, we have to exhume it, but unfortunately, he was already dead”, he said.
The Vigilante Chief further explained that they immediately alerted members of the State Neighbourhood Watch, and the Station Officer of the Police post at Eagle Island, who informed the DIvisional Police Officer (DPO) of Azikiwe Police Division, stressing that the combined team made up of Police, Neighborhood Watch, and the PHALGA Vigilante group mobilized and went in search of the suspects.
According to him, while they were combing Eagle Island, the suspects, who were coming out from one of the hotels, saw them and ran in different direction.
He continued that the joint security force were able to apprehend a good number of them, who were later taken to the Azikiwe Police Division.
The Commander of PHALGA Security Watch called on the Rivers State Government to assist them with logistics such as operational vehicle to enhance their effeciency.
Meanwhile, a human rights advocate, Prince Wiro, has condemned the inhuman Act of burying alive a new born baby by suspected fraudsters and described such Act as sacrilege.
Mr Wiro, who is also the National Coordinator of Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, described the incident as “the height of wickedness and man’s inhumanity to man”.
The rights advocate, while commending the security operatives for the achievement, called on the Police to spread their investigation to arrest fleeing suspects and ensure justice is done on the matter.
Our correspondent reports that the suspects have been transferred to State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Port Harcourt, for further investigation.
In a related development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 38 suspected internet fraudsters.
The Commission said the suspects were arrested on August 21, 2023, in a sting operation at Ogbogoro and Aluu Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The commission gave the names of the suspects as Marvelous Obuah, John Precious, Batholomeo Ifeanyi, Onyenaturuchi Chima, Maxwell Goodluck, Joseph Emmanuel, Godwin Emmanuel, Kelechi Ukaegbu, Kelly Bruce, David Eluwa, Chukwu Anokwute, Christian Othuke, John Iheme, Obenushe Blessed, Eruchi Oshu Godswill, Emmanuel Goodluck, Nnaemaeka Chinedu and Prosper Emmanuel.
Others are: Daniel Ogumba, Ikem Onyeka, Delight Godwin, Obed Martins, Chidebere Cyril, Augustine Obayi, Akpodiete Gift Oghenekevwe, Ikposi Kamte, Chidozie Iwuchukwu, Luscious Jack, Exekiel Richard, John Godwin, Emmanuel John, Ernest Naagban, Dominic Ikem, Chimzi Upchurch, Michael Chikwadi, Omiete Ibama and Leonard Jackreece.
Items recovered from them include different brands of phones and laptops, a Lexus EX 350, three Toyota Corolla, two Toyota Camry, a Mercedes Benz GLK, and the N253, 700.00 cash.
The commission said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as the investigation was concluded.

By: Akujobi Amadi