Police arrest 26 suspects, recover ₦145m stolen bus in Bayelsa

In a significant crackdown on crime, the Bayelsa State Police Command has paraded 26 individuals apprehended for a range of offenses, including unlawful possession of firearms, cultism, attempted armed robbery, vandalism, and advance fee fraud. Commissioner of Police, Iyamu Edebor, announced these successes, emphasizing their alignment with the Inspector-General of Police's directive for zero tolerance towards crime nationwide.

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The principal suspect, Anyankpele Ebiowei, was arrested in Warri. His confession led to the arrest of two other suspects, Alhaji Jibo Aluseyni, 60, and Hassan Mumuni, 48, who allegedly purchased the vehicle without proper documentation.

A notable recovery during the operations was a white Toyota Hiace bus, valued at around ₦145 million, which had been stolen and traced from Lagos to Bayelsa. The police detailed how the principal suspect's confession led to the arrest of others involved in the vehicle's illicit resale. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend a fleeing suspect involved in this case.

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The vehicle was subsequently recovered in Lagos by operatives of Operation Puff Adder. All arrested suspects have confessed and will be charged in court, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

The command also reported the arrest of suspects involved in attempted armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, assault, and the recovery of locally made pistols and other dangerous weapons. Furthermore, four individuals were arrested with firearms in a Dangote Cement truck, and a suspected serial killer wanted by the Ebonyi State Police Command was apprehended. Commissioner Edebor urged continued public cooperation, assuring that Bayelsa State remains a hostile environment for criminal elements.

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They were intercepted during a stop-and-search operation at Ebis Road Junction, Biogbolo, Yenagoa.