Rivers’ most wanted criminal Bobisky dies hours after arrest
- Suspect linked to killing of senior police officer, lawyer, soldier, others
- Wike once placed N30m bounty on suspect
Mike Odiegwu and Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt
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 known as Bobisky.
The Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, who paraded the suspect before newsmen, said he was arrested in the early hours of Saturday after a tip-off.
It was gathered that a crack team of policemen in partnership with OSPAC, a local security outfit, captured Bobisky alive at his hideout in Kokoro community, Khana Local Government Area of the state.
He was, however, said to have died later from the gunshot wounds he received during the exchange of gun fire with policemen.
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The suspect and his gang were reportedly linked to many cases of kidnapping, armed robbery 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 give 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 in the killing of a Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, SP Moses Egbede, after collecting ransom from his family.
He was mentioned in 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 help of a vigilante group, stormed Bobisky’s hideout in a community in Tai Local Government Area of the state, where he engaged the police in a gun duel, leading to the death of some of his men, including his driver.
The CP said: “Acting on credible intelligence, the police in a combined operation with local vigilante stormed the hideout of the kidnapper at Korokoro community in Tai Local Government, and on sighting the security agencies, the wanted kidnapper opened fire, and in the exchange of gunfire, his driver was fatally injured while Boboski was arrested.
“This suspect is responsible for most of the criminal activities in the state. He was responsible for the Kidnap of Barrister Emelogu who was killed after collecting ransom. He was also responsible for the killing of a Divisional Crime Officer Afam Division, SP Moses Egbede, as well as the killing of a soldier and personnel of Civil Defence at Gio Pipeline in Ogoni last year, and 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 good people of the state to continue to remain steadfast and trust in our ability to protect their lives and property while warning criminals to repent, relocate or face the full weight of the law.
“The arrest of Boboski today is a milestone for the command and victory for Ogoni people, Rivers and Nigeria at large,” Mukan added.