The Police Command in Rivers said on Sunday that it uncovered a sinister criminal syndicate that has been targeting and killing Uber drivers in the state.
News About Nigeria reports that this was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson.
In the statement, she said the investigation was triggered by the disappearance of Oghenevwarhe Barry Akpobome, an Uber driver who was last seen on January 10.
Iringe-Koko said the criminal gang was involved in the killing of Akpobome, adding that Anthony Chima, a member of the gang, led its operatives in the investigation to arrest fleeing members of the gang.
She said Chima, a 35-year-old graduate of political science from the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt, was arrested for alleged involvement in the disappearance of the Uber driver.
The statement said the late Akpobome was lured to the Aminigboko community in Abua Odual LGA of the state, where he was killed and his organs possibly harvested.
“According to Chima’s testimony, he was recruited into a gang that specialised in luring cab drivers into ambushes, stealing their vehicles, and ultimately murdering them for ritualistic purposes and organ harvesting,” the statement said.
“Chima revealed that he was brought into the fold by a friend, Amfoh Abu, who introduced him to the gang’s armourer, a man known as “Reason,” and the notorious ringleader, “General Effizy,” a prominent figure in the Greenland cult and a seasoned kidnapper.
“The chilling details of Akpobome’s demise emerged as Chima recounted the events of January 10, 2024. On that fateful day, he was summoned to Reason’s residence and instructed to call a driver whose number he had previously collected.
“Posing as a passenger, Chima then lured the unsuspecting Uber driver to a remote area in Aminigboko, where he and Reason were met by General Effizy and four armed gang members.
“The driver was forcibly removed from the vehicle and taken to Effizy’s shrine, where he was bound, gagged, and ultimately murdered. Chima’s involvement in the gruesome act was confirmed when the police, following his confession, recovered the victim’s skull and a locally fabricated Beretta pistol from Effizy’s residence.”
Tunji Disu, the commissioner of police in Rivers, appealed to citizens and Uber drivers to exercise caution when travelling to remote areas.
The statement said an investigation is ongoing, adding that the authorities are still in search of the fleeing suspects.
Iringe-Koko added that, upon the conclusion of investigation, the suspect would be charged to court immediately.
