By Olayemi Esan
The Joint Task Force operatives in Okehi Local Government of Kogi, on Monday arrested a cybercrime syndicate who lodged at Ihima Guest House along cemetery road in Oboroke-ihima.
The team was led by the Chairman, Okehi Local Government, Hon. Abdulraheem Ohiare who alongside acted upon an intelligence security report.
According to reports, the tactical operation which lasted for hours secured the arrest of seven males among which four are from Ondo state, two from Ihima, one from Okene; and two females from Adavi Local Government.
Gadgets including mobile phones and other accessories were confiscated from the suspects.
Information released indicated that the suspects confessed to their involvement in defrauding people, stating that they have been operating in Ondo State but recently relocated to Ihima in Kogi State to carry on with their nefarious deals while the two females revealed their involvements in pornography videos, drugs and alcohol.
The Council Chairman noted that those apprehended were currently in the custody of the security agents helping with information that would lead to the arrest of others even as the Local Government Legal Team would approach a competent Court of Law before the official sealing of the Ihima Guest House.
The Chairman applauded the security agents for the success of the operation and more importantly commended Governor Yahaya Bello for making security of lives and property of the citizens his administration’s priority.
In his reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Muhammed Onogwu said the local governments administrations were the framework upon which the government structure was laid, hence if issues of security were resolved effectively at that level, it would reflect positively on the state
He warned that crimes were not permitted within the shores of the state especially that cybercrime was largely frowned against.
Onogwu noted that the continued efforts of the Kogi State Government to keep the momentum as the safest state in the country were so far yielding good results, noting that the Governor has always made commitment to secure the lives and property of the citizens and make the state a no-go-zone for criminal elements.