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Police bust ritualist gang targeting Uber drivers in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command nabbed a graduate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt for reportedly enticing cab drivers to ritualists. According to the State Police, he will face charges in court. SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the Command's spokesperson, announced the admittance to Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in a statement released on Sunday in Port Harcourt. Iringe-Koko stated that the arrest of the suspect, Anthony Chima, 35, a university Political Science graduate, came after the abrupt disappearance of an Uber driver known as Oghenevwarhe Akpobome, prompting agents to take action.

She claimed that following his arrest, the suspect admitted to being recruited into a gang that specialized in luring cab drivers into ambushes, stealing their vehicles, and eventually murdering them for ritualistic purposes and organ harvesting. The statement added, "In a startling turn of events, the Rivers State Police have discovered a worrisome criminal operation targeting Uber drivers in the region. "The investigation was initiated by the disappearance of one of these drivers, Oghenevwarhe Barry Akpobome, which led to the arrest and confession of Anthony Chima, a 35-year-old political science graduate from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. 

According to Chima’s testimony, he was recruited into a gang that specialized in luring cab drivers into ambushes, stealing their vehicles, and ultimately murdering them for ritualistic purposes and organ According to Iringe-Koko, "Chima confessed that he was taken into the fold by a buddy, Amfoh Abu, who introduced him to the gang's armourer, a man known as "Reason," and the renowned ringleader, "General Effizy," a major figure in the Greenland cult and a seasoned kidnapper. "The tragic facts of Akpobome's death surfaced when Chima recounted the events of January 10, 2024. On that fatal day, he was summoned to Reason's home and directed to call a driver whose phone number he had previously obtained. Chima, posing as a passenger, then led the surprised Uber driver to a rural place in Aminigboko, where he and Reason were met by General Effizy and four heavily armed gang members.

The driver was forcibly removed from the vehicle and transported to Effizy's shrine, where he was chained, gagged, and eventually slain." The statement continued, "Chima's involvement in the heinous act was confirmed when the police, following his confession, recovered the victim's skull and a locally fabricated Beretta pistol from Effizy's residence." "This disturbing revelation has sent shockwaves through the community" To this end, Olatunji Disu, the State Commissioner of Police, recommended both people and Uber drivers to take caution when boarding or transferring passengers, particularly in isolated or possibly dangerous regions.

"The investigation is ongoing, and investigators are still looking for the fleeing culprits engaged in this terrifying criminal operation. "The case serves as a sharp reminder of the dangers that lurk in the shadows, as well as the significance of law enforcement and public collaboration in ensuring everyone's protection. Meanwhile, the suspect would be charged in court right away," the state police image maker claimed.

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