ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Two suspects said to be notorious for robbing unsuspecting traders and buyers at the popular Tombia Market in Yenagoa Local Government Government Area of Bayelsa State have been apprehended.
They were arrested on Tuesday by members of the state’s Vigilante Service.
It was gathered that the two suspects identified as Kingsley Maxwell, 20 and James Ebi, 23, were arrested shortly after robbing one Gold Ebi, while she was buying food items at the market.
The victim (Gold Ebi), said she was inside the market when the two robbers accosted her and snatched her bag containing money and other valuables.
“Immediately, I raised the alarm. That alerted the men of the Bayelsa State Vigilante Service who were around the market at the time. I saw them chase and apprehend the thieves,” she stated.
Traders and buyers at the market expressed joy over the arrest.
They claimed that the two suspects had been terrorising the markets on a daily basis, even in broad daylight.
A market source, James Oyinkuro, confirmed that one of the criminals robbed his Point of Sale (POS) shop a few weeks ago.
Several other traders acknowledged that the duo were known dreaded criminals who operate within the Tombia roundabout regularly.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the arrest, the Chairman of the State Vigilante Service, Hon. Doubiye Alagba, used the medium to warn other criminals who operate within the Tombia roundabout axis and other parts of the state to turn a new leaf or face the full wrath of the law.
He said: “The operation comb the blackspots is still on course and we will continue to bring in new strategies to achieve more results.
“Our men are everywhere but you might not notice them. They are always within your vicinity. The Tombia roundabout must be peaceful as other areas within the state capital and we will see to that effect.”
As of the time of filing this report, the two suspects had been handed over to operatives of the state-owned police security outfit codenamed ‘Operation Doo Akpo’.