The police in Rivers State have neutralised Chukwumela Imela, alias ‘Boy Satan,’ the alleged ruthless leader of a five-man gang responsible for a wave of car snatching, burglary, and sexual assault in various areas of Port Harcourt.
The State Commissioner of Police (CP), Olatunji Disu, paraded the suspect at the Command Headquarters, highlighting the command’s commitment to combating crime and ensuring public safety.
According to the CP, the gang had terrorised residents of Ada-George, Iwofe, Ogbogoro, Egbelu, Diobu, D-line, GRA II, and Borikiri, with over 10 cars snatched at gunpoint in the past three months.
He said ‘Boy Satan,’ a recidivist with four previous convictions for cultism, sexual assault, and armed robbery, had earned his moniker due to his ruthless nature, killing both rivals and allies.
Disu said Imela’s criminal history dated back to 2009 when he joined the Iceland cult group alongside his childhood friend, Precious Adiele.
He said: “In 2022, Imela defected to a rival group, ‘La Mendians Bobos,’ after a dispute over loot sharing. To mark his defection, he brutally macheted Precious Adiele to death.
“Imela’s violent exploits included attacking a businessman, George, in 2012, demanding his phone and inflicting machete cuts when he discovered it wasn’t an android device. George was rescued by local vigilante Aniefiok David, who fought off Imela and took the injured victim for treatment.”
Disu noted that acting on credible intelligence, the Octopus Strike Force, aided by Diobu vigilantes, intercepted the gang on June 8 using a minivan in Diobu. Junior Moses Eyimode, the gang’s driver, was arrested, and the minivan was recovered.
A gun battle ensued when police pursued the fleeing gang members to their hideout in New Road, Borikiri. Imela and another gang member were neutralised, and one Beretta pistol and two locally-made revolvers were recovered.
In a related development, Disu said officers of the command rescued a 16-year-old girl from her abductor and arrested the suspect, Prince Amadi Ogbonda, 24, on September 13, 2024.
He said the police received a tip about a suspicious individual with a young girl in the Abuloma area of Port Harcourt around 10 a.m. Responding promptly, officers apprehended Ogbonda, a native of the Elekahia Community in Port Harcourt residing in Akwuke, Enugu.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Ogbonda lured the victim from Enugu’s Garki area, concealed her in a ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bag, and transported her to Port Harcourt. Upon arrival, he took her to the residence of Chima, an internet fraudster in Ozuoboko, where Chima and another suspect repeatedly assaulted her.
He explained that the victim has been taken for medical examination and treatment while Ogbonda remains in police custody.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.