Onyedi Gabriel, Port Harcourt
Most residents of Rivers State on Saturday heaved a sigh of relief following the arrest of a suspected notorious kidnapper and armed robber, Honest Diigbara, popularly known in the underworld as Bobrisky.
It was gathered that a crack team of the police in partnership with OSPAC, a local security outfit, captured Bobrisky alive on Saturday morning at his hideout in Kokoro community, Khana Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect and his gang were reportedly linked to many cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and gruesome murder of their victims even after collecting ransom in some cases.
The notoriety of the suspect compelled Governor Nyesom Wike to declare him wanted, placing a N30 million bounty on him.
Bobrisky was linked to the killing of a lawyer identified as Emelogu, who was kidnapped and murdered despite paying the ransom.
He was also said to be involved in the killing of a Divisional Crime Officer, SP Moses Egbede, after collecting ransom from his family.
He was also mentioned in the kidnapping of Chief Mbu of Ogo/Bolo, who regained freedom after paying N7million ransom.
Bobrisky and his gang were further linked to the killing of two policemen attached to the Federal Highway; a soldier and an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Ogoni.
It was learnt that his younger brother, too, sustained serious injuries during the operation that led to his arrest and later died at the police command in Port Harcourt.
A statement by the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, described the feat as a milestone and victory for Ogoni people.
The statement said: “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the public that the most wanted kidnapper/armed robber and Murderer, Honest Diigbara ‘m’ has been arrested.
“The notorious gang leader, who had been on the Police Watch list and declared wanted by the State Government with a Bounty of 30 million Naira, was arrested in the early hours of today 12/9/2020 in a sting Operation of the Command with the assistance of a local security outfit.
“He was arrested through credible information at Korokoro Community in Tai LGA, where he was hibernating with his gang of killers. On sighting the Police, they engaged us and in a return fire, his driver was fatally wounded, while he was arrested alive.
“Let me use this medium to urge the good people of the state to continue to remain steadfast and trust in our ability to protect their lives and property ,while warning criminals to repent, relocate or face the full weight of the law. The arrest of Bobrisky today is a milestone for the Command and Victory for the Ogoni people, Rivers and Nigeria at large”.