Twelve alleged online scammers, sometimes known as yahoo boys, have been apprehended in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.
They were apprehended on Wednesday for reportedly burying a newborn infant alive in the Andoni waterfront area of Eagle Island Housing Estate.
According to Eagle Island’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Victor Ohaji, his vigilante team received information that a group of young men were performing incantations and excavating a ditch along the waterfront.
He said, “When we got the information, I called my boys and we swung into action. When we got there, the boys had left but I asked where they were digging and we dug up the place. There, we saw a very fine bouncing baby boy.”
Ohaji said he mobilised his men to search the area and they moved from one hotel to another to find the culprits.
“We saw them coming out from one hotel and they started running the moment they saw us but we chased them, caught them, and took them to the police station.
“One of the suspects was threatening us saying that his father is a Major-General and nothing will happen to him.”
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the suspects are in custody.
“The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation,” the police spokesperson said.