PH Mundial – Port Harcourt Online Newspaper News across the Niger Delta
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A combined team of Operatives of the Rapid Response Team (RRA) and Anti-Cultism Team of the Bayelsa State Police Command on Tuesday stormed the Kolo Community in Ogbia Local Government Council Area of the State to arrest a 47 years-old physically challenged man and five others over alleged attack on a community vigilante personnel.
The physically challenged identified as Okpara Balami, was accused of leading armed gang of youths in Kolo community and repeatedly reported to be involved in terrorism, cultism and attacks against individuals in the community.
The armed gangs have also been fingered in several cases of attack against the Kolo Police Station.
Community sources informed newsmen that the Balami allegedly out of provocation after a minor scuffle, ordered the beating of a youth, identified as a member of the Community Vigilante group.
Following alarm, the Police team of the RRS led by CSP Bishop Elemide and the Anti-Cultism, CSP Nsimo Benson, the Kolo Divisional Police team and the Community Development Committee team invaded and arrested the accused.
The Police Personnel were also supported by drone components to give aerial support to the arrest.
It was gathered that the criminal hideout of the suspects which also doubled as the anchor point for the gang was searched and a pistol was recovered with several machetes.
One of the suspects however escaped according to community sources.
Confirming the incident, a member of the Kolo Community vigilante, who pleaded anonymity, argued that the arrest of the Balami and his gang is long overdue, saying; “these people are known to be involved in cases of cultism, assault and attacks on police personnel in the community.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, said the details of the Police operation is not available as he is yet to be properly briefed.
