The Nigeria Police Force, Bayelsa State Command, Yesterday, said it has arrested three suspected armed robbers that specializes in the robbery and killing of Bank customers in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The suspected gang of robbers who were arrested along Okordia-Zarama road is said to include an Agudama-Epetiama born Corps member serving in Cross Rivers State, a serving soldier who claimed to be serving at the Nigerian Army Military School and a Presidential Amnesty Program beneficiary from Ekeremor Local Government area of the state.
Items said to have been recovered from the suspects included two AK-47 Riffles, 174 Ammunitions, a face mask, and an NYSC uniform.
ALSO READ: Businessman docked over alleged N3.5m fraud
A police source, who confirmed the arrest, said the operation was carried out by a team of Inspector-General of Police special security outfit known as ‘Operation Puff Adder’ that was led by one DSP Christian Nwaogbo while carrying out their operation against violent crimes, cultism, killings, and kidnapping in the state.
It was gathered that the arrest was made based on a tip-off that prompted the team to lay an ambush along the Okordia-Zarama road where they accosted a Toyota Corolla car and a Highlander jeep allegedly coveying the suspects to Yenagoa for a bank operation.
It was also gathered that the three-man gang is suspected to have been the armed robbers killing bank customers in some parts of Yenagoa after dispossessing them of huge amounts during their bank raids.
One of the two rifles recovered from the suspects was also reportedly identified to be a service rifle stolen from a police officer attached to the Udeme Hotels along Opolo area who is said to have been dismissed.
Contacted on the arrest of the armed Robbery suspects, the spokesman of the Bayelsa Police Command, DSP Asinim Butswat confirmed it but said the State Commissioner of Police will brief the media and parade the suspects soon as investigation is still ongoing.
and then