The Rivers State Police Command said its men had gunned down a notorious pirate identified as John Togo the Second, who had been terrorizing coastal communities along the Bonny – Port Harcourt waterways, as well as the Okrika – Andoni Waterways within the state.
The state Commissioner of Police CP Olatunji Disu,disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the Command’s Headquarters, Moscow road, Port Harcourt.
He stated the the notorious criminal who is also the kingpin of the Iceland Confraternity had by virtue of his reign of terror struck fear in the hearts of residents and boat passengers in the area.
Disu explained that Operatives of the Command, in collaboration with the C4i intelligence unit together with the Borikiri Police Division following credible intelligence, launched an operation to apprehend Togo and his gang, but met a fierce firefight, resulting in Togo’s death and the recovery of his body.
He also noted that Togo before his death had operated several illegal oil bunkering camps, trafficked arms and was responsible for numerous ambushes of security agencies, murders and robberies of innocent waterways commuters.
Disu further revealed that one of the most brazen crimes committed by slain Togo was the ambush and subsequent murder of four members of a sister security agency on November 1, 2023 along the Bakana River in Degema Local Government Area.
He explained that Togo who ambushed some security personnel patrolling the Bille-Degema-Okrika waterways with speedboats with an intention of stealing their weapons, was neutralized, adding that the killed Togo throughout his criminal career had engaged in numerous shootouts with the Marine Police, Nigerian Army, and NSCDC.
He said, “John Togo’s criminal career began in the Borikiri area of Port Harcourt, where he initially engaged in cult-related activities. Gradually, he graduated from petty crimes and evolved into a full-fledged kidnapper and sea pirate, assembling a gang of ruthless criminals along the way.
“Adopting the alias of ex-militant John Togo, who had been killed in July 2011, he and his gang gained notoriety in 2021 due to their involvement in a series of sea piracy and kidnappings, which ignited the End Sea Piracy protests and campaigns that reverberated throughout Bonny Island in January 2021.”
He added: “Despite previous encounters with security forces, John Togo continued to elude capture. He targeted commercial boats, mercilessly killing drivers and throwing passengers into the sea as he stole the vessels. In one such encounter on the 17th of July 2023, Togo engaged security forces in a shootout, compelling them to abandon their gunboat.
“The turning point came when John Togo abducted Precious George, the Youth Leader of Ibifara Polo, on the 30th of May 2023. After holding George captive for twelve days and receiving a ransom of 2.5 million Naira, Togo’s face was unveiled, setting the police on his trail.”
In another development,the state commissioner of police stated that operatives of the command on Monday, January 22, rescued a day-old baby and apprehended two suspects involved in a case of human trafficking.
He said the suspects were nabbed when some diligent officers from the C4i Intelligence Unit were conducting a routine stop and search operation along Igwuruta-Eneka Road.
Disu who identified the suspects as Daniel Destiny Onyegbulem,28-year-old from Umuoye in Etche LGA, and Uzodinma Eze, a.k.a. Thank-God, 33-year-old from Omanwa, Ikwerre LGA of the state, explained that in the course of searching the suspects found out that Daniel was carrying a sack bag that contained the one-day-old baby.
He added the baby was still covered in blood and struggling to breath inside the bag when it was rescued.
“Promptly recognizing the urgency of the situation, the officers swiftly provided immediate medical attention to the infant, ensuring his safe transportation to the Police Hospital.
“The dedicated medical personnel at the hospital skillfully resuscitated the baby, who is now in stable health and receiving the necessary care.
“Following the apprehension, Daniel cooperated with the investigating officers and revealed crucial information about the criminal network involved in this abhorrent act.
“He disclosed that he had been contacted by a woman known as ‘Mama Destiny,’ a pastry vendor in his locality. Mama Destiny had enlisted his services to transport the sack bag containing the baby to Eneka junction, with instructions to await further contact from an associate who would receive the bag. In exchange for his involvement, Daniel was enticed with a payment of 10,000 Naira.
“Further revelations emerged through Daniel’s account. He explained that he was summoned to a location along Egbi Road to finalize the transaction. Accompanied by Mama Destiny’s husband, he was driven to Chokocho junction, where he met Uzodinma, the operator of the commercial motorbike they used for the delivery.”
