By: Felix Ikpotor
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three suspected gang of rapist who specialized in luring their victims through social media.
The suspects were arrested following a reported abduction case involving Agor Ogechi ‘F,’ a 28-year-old resident of Elele in Ikwerre Local council of Rivers State, on July 1, 2023.
A statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko said intervention by men of the command led to the apprehension of the prime suspect.
She said, “Investigations revealed that the suspect, identified as Louise Brutolu ‘M,’ a 32-year-old resident of Igoni Street, Abuloma, Port Harcourt City Council, employed the use of phone chats to lure his victims to the Pacific Suite Hotel, Abuloma. Upon booking a room, the suspect drugged the victims, rendering them unconscious, and subsequently stole their valuables. In the case of Agor Ogechi, her iPhone, a sum of twenty-eight thousand Naira, and her ATM card were reported stolen”.
“Acting on the victim’s complaint, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit promptly initiated an operation that culminated in the arrest of Louise Brutolu. During the arrest, the substance used to drug the victims was successfully retrieved. The suspect has claimed to be working for an unidentified master and has pledged cooperation in capturing the gang leader”.
The statement noted that after months of persistent investigation, the Command successfully apprehended the gang leader, whose identity is being withheld for investigative purposes while various items belonging to different victims were recovered, including twenty-one mobile phones, three female bags, and receipt booklets.
The statement further notes that the gang leader had previously been arrested in 2021 for similar offenses and was charged in court.
Also, the police said another suspect, ‘Jemifor Timi Collins ‘M,’ a 28-year-old native of Burutu in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State who specialized in luring individuals through social media platforms such as Instagram, Tinder, and Badoo has also been arrested.
Notably, the suspect targeted not only women but also Bolt and Uber drivers by exploiting their expensive phones displayed online, the suspect invited victims to hotel rooms where they were offered drinks laced with Tramadol, subsequently subjected to rape, and robbed of their belongings.
The Command said the suspect has been engaging in the activities for over three years and has been arrested and charged to court on two previous occasions.
The Command while assuring the safety of citizens, advised everyone, particularly youths, to exercise caution while making friends online.
