Police nab DCO’s alleged killer, arsonist

The police in Bayelsa State have arrested a suspected cultist who allegedly masterminded the attack on a police station last month where the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) was killed.

A statement from the Police Public Relations Officer in the state command, DSP Asinim Butswat, said the AntiCultism Unit (ACU) of the command launched a manhunt immediately after the incident, which led to the arrest of the prime suspect and the mastermind of the arson at the station.

The statement read: “It will be recalled that suspected cultists attacked Oporoma Police Division and set it ablaze on 21st March, 2018, leading to the death of the DCO, ASP Ajayi Abiodun. Policemen from the AntiCultism Unit (ACU) of Bayelsa State Police Command launched a manhunt that led to the arrest of the prime suspect, one Thomas Ayibabrakemi Michael, 39, aka Sisco.”

He said the suspect was arrested at a hotel in Arietalin, Yenagoa and has confessed to being a member of Greenland cult group. He was said to have also admitted to have led his gang to attack the division.

Butswat said operatives are on the trail of other gang members who participated in the attack and assured that the command is poised to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state.

The police appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that would assist the command in fighting crime in the state.