Police plan trial against suspect after three operations

The suspect behind the June 25 dynamite explosion at the Rivers State Government owned Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt has been identified as 40-year-old Preye Josiah, and police have vowed to prosecute him.

In a statement released on Sunday by spokeswoman Grace Iringe-Koko, Rivers police said the suspect, whose hand was severed in the explosion, had already undergone three different operations at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

The PUNCH had reported that a dynamite explosion occurred near the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt on June 25 during a protest by some persons against the tenure of the chairmen of local governments in the state.

The state government condemned the incident and immediately alerted all hospitals in the state to look out for patients with blast injuries.

Less than 24 hours later, the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital informed the state government about a patient who had been admitted by his colleagues unconscious and had sustained injuries from an explosion.

The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit while police deployed men to guard the hospital.

In Sunday's statement, police spokesman Iringe-Koko said the suspect had largely recovered and had been identified as a member of the dreaded Vikkings cult, which had long been on the police wanted list in connection with a series of bank robberies in Bayelsa State.

The police spokesman said: “In relation to the previous explosion which occurred on June 25, 2024 along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, the arrested suspect who sustained grievous bodily injuries and has since been undergoing treatment was identified as Preye Josiah, alias Metusah, 40 years of age and a native of Kabiama Community of Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa State.

“Investigations revealed that Preye Josiah was on the police wanted list for his involvement in some high-profile bank robberies between 2012 and 2016 led by one Daniel Gogo alias Full Payment. In the robberies, operatives of the then IGP-IRT in Bayelsa State seized three AK-47 rifles, one Lar rifle, 360 rounds of live ammunition, 20 magazines, five dynamites, two pistols, one rifle maintenance device and three exotic cars.

“Preye, who evaded police arrest, was identified as the gang's dynamite detonator. The suspect also informed the commando forces that the explosion was caused by dynamite. He is a member of the Viking Brotherhood. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other people involved in the crime.

“Preye, who has undergone three major surgeries and has made a significant recovery, will soon face charges in a competent court after the investigation is completed.”

The statement quoted Rivers State Police Commissioner Olatunji Rilwan Disu as saying: “People should be alert to such explosions and stay away from the area as there is a high probability that there is another explosive device there.”

Iringe-Koko also called on the population to call the police via a hotline that is already publicly accessible in the event of an explosion so that they can intervene immediately.

In a related development, Iringe-Koko said the command had intensified its investigations into the explosion that rocked the Action Peoples Party secretariat in Port Harcourt’s new GRA axis on August 12.

She said agents from the bomb disposal unit deployed on the scene discovered a crater in front of the building where the explosive device had been placed, causing shock waves and damaging the glass in the windows and doors.

The statement added: “Eyewitness accounts from the time the explosion was heard indicate that a car was parked a few meters from the APP Secretariat. Two men got out of the car, walked towards the building, detonated the suspected explosive device and threw it at the Secretariat.

“They then got back into their vehicle and drove away.

“The discovery of a crater and other evidence as well as eyewitness reports indicate the detonation of an explosive device.

“Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but the front of the building was damaged. Samples from the explosion site have been taken for further forensic examination.”

“Command personnel have been tasked with intensifying the investigation and arresting all suspects involved in this incident.”