…Narrates How APP Secretariat Was Attacked
The Rivers State Police Command has revealed that Preye Josiah, the suspect who detonated the dynamite on June 25th June,2024 along Aba road in Port Harcourt is a member of vikings cult group and a high profile armed robber on wanted list of the command.
The Spokesperson for the Rivers Police Command, Superintendent of Police(SP) Grace Iringe Koko in a statement on Sunday said ” the arrested suspect who sustained serious bodily injuries and has since been undergoing treatment has been identified as Preye Josiah, alias Metusah, aged 40 years and a native of Kabiama Community of Sagbama LGA.
“Investigations revealed that Preye Josiah has been on the Police wanted list for participating in some high-profile bank robberies led by one Daniel Gogo, alias Full Payment, between 2012 and 2016, where three AK47 rifles, a Lar rifle, 360 rounds of live ammunition, 20 magazines, five dynamites, two pistols, a rifle servicing equipment, and three exotic cars were recovered in Bayelsa State by Operatives of the then IGP-IRT.
“Preye, who was evasive to Police arrest, was identified as the dynamite detonating expert of the gang.
The suspect had also informed operatives of the Command that the explosion was a result of a dynamite. He is a member of the Vikings Confraternity. Efforts are still ongoing to arrest others involved in the crime.
“Preye, who has undergone three major surgeries and has made a significant recovery, will soon be charged to a Court of competent jurisdiction after the investigations are completed”.
SP Grace Iringe Koko also provided update on the explosion at Action Peoples Party (APP) which occured on 12th of August, 2024.
She said “on August 12th, 2024, at approximately 12:30 am, the Rivers State Police Command received a distress call reporting a loud explosion at the All-Peoples Party (APP) secretariat located in Tombia Extension, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt.
“The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, and a team of tactical units with experts from the Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD/Anti-Bomb) Squad were immediately mobilized to the scene to assess the situation.
The team cordoned off the area and commenced Explosive Ordinance Disposal Procedures and search operations.
“The Command’s EOD experts identified a crater created in front of the building where the device was placed, causing shockwaves and damaging the glass of the windows and doors.
“Eyewitness accounts around the time the explosion was heard revealed that a car had been parked a few meters from the APP Secretariat, and two men had alighted from the car, walked to the building, and ignited the suspected device before throwing it at the secretariat. They then re-entered the vehicle and drove off.
“The discovery of a crater and other pieces of evidence, as well as eyewitness accounts, indicate the detonation of an explosive device. Thankfully, no loss of life was recorded, but damage was done to the front of the building. Samples from the site of the explosion have been taken for further forensic investigation. Operatives of the Command have been detailed to intensify efforts to investigate and apprehend all suspects involved in this incident”.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olatunji Disu, in the statement urged members of the public to be vigilant when such cases of explosion occur and to steer clear of the vicinity, as there is a tendency of another device being present.
