Twelve accused internet scammers have been detained for reportedly burying a newborn infant alive at Eagle Island’s Andoni shoreline in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The offenders were apprehended on Wednesday morning, August 23, 2023, by the Port Harcourt Local Government Authority Area Security Watch and the Rivers State Neighbourhood Watch, in collaboration with police officers.
The arrest was made after the vigilante received credible information from residents who spotted a group of boys performing incantations and excavating the earth near the waterfront.
Victor Ohaji, Chairman of PLGA Security Watch and Chief Security Officer of Eagle Island, revealed the incident to reporters.
He stated that after receiving the information, he notified the Azikiwe Police Division in Diobi, Port Harcourt, as well as officials from the state neighborhood Agency.
“I immediately mobilized my men,” he added, “but when we arrived at the location where we were told the suspects were by the waterfront, the ‘yahoo’ boys’ had left.”
However, Ohaji stated that upon deeper inspection, it was determined that the suspected ‘yahoo’ lads’ buried something at the waterfront.
The Eagle Island CSO stated that he asked his employees to excavate the dirt, where they discovered the lifeless body of a newborn baby boy, which was exhumed.
He stated that his guys, the police, and locals went to the area in search of the culprits, whom they ultimately spotted coming out of a motel.
“We discovered a newborn baby, a bouncing baby boy, when we dug the hole.” They buried a nice young man. I immediately called Eagle Island’s Situation Officer and notified him of our discovery so that he may alert the Divisional Police Officer with whom he is working.
The police and neighborhood watchmen immediately joined us. So, we started walking around Eagle Island, hoping to find the suspects.
“We even moved from one hotel in the area to another, and lo and behold, we saw them coming out of a hotel.” And as soon as we got out of the car, they (the suspects) took off running.
“So, we pursued them and apprehended them.” There was a total of twelve of them. So, we transported them and the baby to the police station.”
