Police nab three suspects for fraud, refuse $17,000 bribe
By Uzair Adam
The Zone 16 Police Command has apprehended three suspects in Rivers State for alleged involvement in illicit drug activities and fraud.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Gunn Emonena, operatives from the Zonal Financial and Cybercrime Unit, acting on credible intelligence, raided the Rumukparali community in the Obio/Akpo Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
The suspects—Billion Ndubuisi, Charles Amachree, and Martins Chinemike—reportedly confessed to impersonating Ryam Bill, a U.S.-based professional, and defrauding two victims, St. Andrea and Charlen Zielinsky, of $71,500.
During a search of their residence, the police recovered wraps of illicit drugs suspected to be hemp, two vehicles, two laptops, and 10 mobile phones. SP Emonena revealed that the suspects attempted to bribe the officers with $17,000 through an agent, but the offer was rejected.
“The money is registered and will be presented as evidence in court,” he said.
The Assistant Inspector General of the Zone, Adebola Hamzat, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding lives and property within its jurisdiction.
He commended the officers for their professionalism and adherence to ethical standards.
The police, under the leadership of Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun, continue to prioritize citizens’ safety and security nationwide, the statement added.