Most residents of Rivers State yesterday heaved a sigh of relief with the arrest and later death of a suspected notorious armed robber, kidnapper and assassin, Honest Diigbara, popularly referred to as Bobisky.
The Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, who paraded the suspect before newsmen, said he was arrested within the early hours of Saturday after a tip-off.
It was gathered that a crack team of policemen in partnership with OSPAC, an area security outfit, captured Bobisky alive at his hideout in Kokoro community, Khana government Area of the state.
He was, however, said to possess died later from the gunshot wounds he received during the exchange of gun fire with policemen.
The suspect and his gang were reportedly linked to several cases of kidnapping, heist and gruesome murder of their victims in some cases, even after collecting ransoms.
The notoriety of the suspect had compelled Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, to declare him wanted with a promise to offer N30 million to anybody with information on his whereabouts.
Bobisky was linked to the killing of a lawyer identified as Emelogu, who was kidnapped and killed in spite of the ransom paid on him.
He was also said to be involved within the killing of a Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, SP Moses Egbede, after collecting ransom from his family.
He was mentioned within the kidnapping of Chief Mbu of Ogo/Bolo, who regained freedom after paying N7million ransom.
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Bobisky and his gang were also linked to the killing of two policemen attached to the federal highway, a soldier and an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ogoni.
Speaking during the parade, Mukan said the police, with the assistance of a vigilante group, stormed Bobisky’s hideout during a community in Tai government Area of the state, where he engaged the police during a gun duel, resulting in the death of a number of his men, including his driver.
"The CP said:" Acting on reliable intelligence, the police stormed the hiding place of the kidnapper in the Korokoro community in the Tai government during an operation with local vigilante, and during an operation with local vigilante on sighting the safety agencies, the wanted kidnapper opened fire, and within the exchange of gunfire, his driver was fatally injured while Boboski was arrested.
“This suspect is liable for most of the criminal activities within the state. He was liable for the Kidnap of Barrister Emelogu who was killed after collecting ransom. He was also liable for the killing of a Divisional Crime Officer Afam Division, SP Moses Egbede, also because the killing of a soldier and personnel of Civil Defence at Gio Pipeline in Ogoni last year, and therefore the killing of two policemen at a Federal Highway at Botem, among others.”
It was learnt that his younger brother sustained serious injuries during the operation that led to his arrest and later died at the police command in Port Harcourt.
“Let me use this medium to urge the great people of the state to still remain steadfast and trust in our ability to guard their lives and property while warning criminals to repent, relocate or face the complete weight of the law.
“The arrest of Boboski today may be a milestone for the command and victory for Ogoni people, Rivers and Nigeria at large,” Mukan added.
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