Suspected Internet Fraudsters popularly known as ‘Yahoo Boys’ have buried a new born child alive in Port Harcourt River State on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
The suspects who are twelve in numbers were said to have committed the crime at Andoni Waterfront in Eagle Island in Port Harcourt and have also been arrested by the police.
They were arrested in a joint effort by the Port Harcourt Local Government Authority Area Security Watch (PLGA) and policemen following a credible intelligence from a vigilante member.
One of the local joint taskforce (vigilante) who saw the group of boys making enchantment, while digging the ground along the waterfront reported it to the appropriate authority.
Chairman of PLGA Security Watch who is also the Chief Security Officer of Eagle Island, Victor Ohaji, disclosed the incident to newsmen.
He said that on getting the information, he gave notice to the Azikiwe Police Division in Diobi, Port Harcourt and the officials of the state neighborhood Agency.
According to him, he immediately mobilised his men. On getting to the spot, the suspects were by the waterfront, the ‘yahoo’ boys’ had left. Looking closely, it was discovered that the suspected ‘yahoo’ boys’ buried something at the waterfront.
The CSO of Eagle Island said he directed his men to dig the ground, where they found the lifeless body of a newborn baby boy and was exhumed.
He said his men, the police and neighbourhood men started coming to the area in search of the traitors, which they eventually sighted coming out of a hotel.
He said, “Immediately I called the Situation Officer of Eagle Island and informed him of our discovery so that he can relate to the Divisional Police Officer he is 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 behold, we saw them coming out from a hotel. And as soon as we alighted 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 this yahoo boys was shouting, ranting that his father is a Major General and that nothing will happen.
“He said even if they bury full human being, nothing will happen. The boy went on ranting that his father was coming. So we handed them to the police. All we want is for the state to be peaceful. So the government should please assist us,” he stated.
Commenting, the Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident, said an investigation is ongoing.
According to her, “The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation.”