Plateau State Police Command has disclosed that its operatives have uncovered an Internet fraud or ‘Yahoo yahoo’ training centre in Jos, the state capital.
The command also arrested other suspected members of various criminal gangs operating in the state.
Parading the suspects on Wednesday at the Command Headquarters in Jos, the State Police Commissioner, Emmanuel Adeshina, informed that the suspects were arrested for various crimes, including Internet fraud, robbery, Gun running, and child trafficking, among others.
Mr Adeshina explained that the Yahoo Yahoo training centre was uncovered after information was received about a fraud academy and operations of Internet fraudsters in Jos.
The CP said, “On 20/10/2024 at about 10:30 a.m., we received a report that the following persons, one Ateh Anthony Idoko, 23, and Daniel Idoko, both 23 years old, of Agingi, Rukuba Road, who are internet fraudsters (Yahoo-Yahoo), conspired among themselves to traffic young boys who had just graduated from Secondary school to a secluded residence.
According to the CP, the suspects locked them up, seized their phones and, having shown them how to defraud people via romance scams and other cyber-related frauds masterfully, forced them to go into the internet and continue to defraud innocent would-be victims and in the event where they refuse to cooperate, the ring leader beat them mercilessly with a horsewhip.”
He added that ” Upon receipt of this information, the Divisional Police Officer Rantya division, under my strict directive, immediately mobilised men and swung into action, raided the hideout where Eleven (11) suspects were arrested, including the Two (2) principal suspects. ”
“Our investigations are ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects and ensure that they face the full weight of the law.”
The Plateau Police Commissioner also added that on 16/10/2024 at about 07:00 am, while acting upon credible intelligence, the Command’s Eagle Eye Patrol Unit (EEPU) arrested Jonathan Arin, 27, Moses Festus, 27, Sambo Audu, 30, and Nehemiah Yakubu, 25, all males of Angwan Rukuba Jos.
The suspects were arrested in possession of locally fabricated rifles, pistols and other dangerous tools and equipment used in the fabrication of firearms. ”
Upon interviewing the suspects, they all confessed to the crime and issued their confessional statements, which were recorded with words of caution. The investigation is ongoing to recover all firearms already distributed to some mischievous persons and arrest more suspects.
He also said that on 12/10/2024 at about 04:30 pm, we received a report at “A” division Police Station stating that on 11/10/2024 at about 04:30 pm, when they returned from work, they discovered that four (4) of their children were missing. Upon inquiry, their neighbour’s daughter informed them that they were seen with one Comfort, a female who usually comes to visit her friend, Adamu Bawa, in the compound to buy her biscuits.
Upon receipt of the report, our men immediately swung into action, which led to the rescue of the four (4) children and two (2) suspects. The case is under investigation and will be charged to court upon conclusion.
The CP also expressed his profound gratitude to the Government of the State for its support in the fight against crime and criminality within the State.
“We would not have achieved such tremendous successes without the cooperation and intelligence we have received from you. ”
I also wish to thank the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM for providing critical operational assets which have facilitated the successes we have recorded throughout this period.
My Management Team and I have implemented strategies to prevent crime and ensure the security of lives and properties within the State. Some of these measures include improving our response time, intensifying efforts toward providing the arrest of suspects, and prosecuting criminals, he added.
