In a major development, the Zone 16 Command of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has taken action against four police personnel, including an inspector, who were allegedly involved in the abduction and extortion of N20 million from two suspected internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as ‘Yahoo Boys,’ in Bayelsa State.
It has been revealed that the arrested police personnel confessed to being part of a setup orchestrated by two civilian accomplices, Eyi Matthew Excel, a former contestant in the State House of Assembly elections under the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Mayor Goodluck Arab, who are currently at large.
According to reports, the accused policemen raided the residence of the ‘Yahoo Boys,’ who are natives of Bayelsa State and had recently returned from Ghana. The suspects were apprehended, blindfolded, and taken to an undisclosed hotel in Azikoro town on Monday.
Further investigation revealed that the policemen threatened to kill the duo unless they handed over N50 million, alleging that someone from Ghana had accused them of theft. The suspected fraudsters eventually succumbed to the pressure and agreed to pay N20 million. They accompanied the policemen to two commercial banks and made separate transfers of N7 million and N13 million, totaling N20 million, respectively.
Subsequently, a friend of the accused internet fraudsters, upon learning about their ordeal, decided to report the matter to one of the published phone numbers of the Nigerian Police Zonal headquarters. This drew the attention of the top hierarchy at the Zonal Police headquarters.
A reliable source within the Command revealed that the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Zone 16, Benjamin Okolo, ordered the arrest of the accused personnel. It was discovered that their actions were carried out without the knowledge of their superiors.
“They were not members of a team. They work at various units but engage in illicit deals together. In the past, they narrowly escaped being killed by some military officers along Agbura road in Ogbia Local Government Area, where they set up an illegal roadblock to extort oil bunkerers,” the source stated.
The accused police personnel have reportedly returned the N2.5 million each that they received from the extortion scheme involving the Yahoo Boys. Eyi Matthew Excel, however, is still at large, while Mayor Goodluck Arab was arrested but has since absconded after being granted bail, according to the source.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Zone 16 Command, SP Ikwo Kevin, acknowledged that a group of internet fraudsters, known as Yahoo Boys, defrauded foreigners of $28,000. The errant policemen pursued and apprehended the fraudsters.
“The fraudsters confessed to the crime and pleaded for leniency, but instead of following the appropriate procedure, the policemen compromised by accepting money from them. When the AIG became aware of the situation, he ordered their arrest and detention.
“Information we received indicates that the police received N10 million, while the informant also received N10 million as their share. However, the informant has since returned N7.5 million and is still on the run.
“The recovered funds have been seized, and investigations are ongoing,” SP Ikwo stated.