Police Arrest 26 Suspects, Recover N145 Million Stolen Bus In Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested 26 suspected criminals for offences including unlawful possession of firearms, cultism, attempted armed robbery, vandalism, and advance fee fraud.

The Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Edebor, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Yenagoa.

Edebor said the arrests and recoveries align with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on zero tolerance for crime and criminality nationwide.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property across Bayelsa State.

Among the breakthroughs was the recovery of a stolen white Toyota Hiace bus valued at about N145 million.

According to the police, the vehicle with registration number SAG 584 EA was stolen and later traced to Lagos.

Edebor said the principal suspect, Anyankpele Ebiowei, was arrested in Warri, and his confession led to the arrest of two other suspects, Alhaji Jibo Aluseyni, 60, and Hassan Mumuni, 48, who allegedly purchased the vehicle without proper documentation.

Further investigations revealed that the bus had been resold through one Sefiu Abbas, 38, to a Lagos-based auto dealer, Alhaji Sikiru Jimoh, who is currently at large, for N38 million.

The vehicle was eventually recovered in Lagos by operatives of Operation Puff Adder.

The police said all arrested suspects have confessed and will be charged in court, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

In a separate operation, police arrested three suspects, Lucky Boro, 24, Tony Akpose, 24, and Tari Lokosi, 26, for alleged attempted armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.

They were intercepted during a stop and search operation at Ebis Road Junction, Biogbolo, Yenagoa.