By Danmaryam Zayamu
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, has arrested 14 suspected touts who specialized in posing as revenue collectors and in the process assault and extort money from unsuspecting members of the public.
Some of the suspects arrested are among those who inflicted injuries on some journalists and government officials at the point of duty.
A statement signed by the Spokesman of the FCT Police Command, Anjuguri Manzah, noted that based on preliminary Police investigation, the suspects led by one Terry Okan and Samuel Ele Asiebe (both at large) were recruited from different parts of the country to carry out the criminal act.
One Toyota Haice bus used in conveying the suspects to the scene, he revealed, has been recovered as exhibit.
According to the Command Spokesman: “The suspects were arrested on January 7, 2020, at about 0230pm following a distress call that hoodlums numbering about sixteen assaulted and inflicted varying degree of injury on some government officials attached to the FCTA Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) while on duty at Wuye.
“As a result of the prompt response of Police operatives from Wuye Division, the following suspects identified to have attacked and inflicted injuries on the government officials and some journalists at the scene have been arrested.
“One Okoli Chinedu ‘m’ 28 years, Ogbonna Divine 45 years, Abiuodun Oluwole 28 years, Nelson Effiong 24 years, Bassey Sylvester 37 years, Okeowu Aoji 29 years, Angel Eze 34 years, Austine Chigozie 35 years, Andrew Onyenwe 30 years, Monday James Omoogun 33 years, Sikiru Ibrahim 35 years, Issa Lukman 39 years, Nwani Ekene 35 years and Gabriel Abinemoh 39 years all male.”
The statement explained that the Command is making concerted effort to arrest leaders of the syndicate, Terry Okan and Samuel Ele Asiebe, who are now at large.
