Police: Suspect arrested over Rivers explosion was on wanted list

The police command in Rivers says the suspect arrested over a failed dynamite explosion in Port Harcourt had been on a wanted list.

The explosion occurred near Hotel Presidential on June 25 during a demonstration against the tenure of LG chairmen in Rivers.

In a statement on Sunday, Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson, identified the suspect as Preye Josiah.

“Preye Josiah has been on our wanted list prior to the incident,” she said. 

“Josiah, 40, from Kabiama community in Sagbama Local Government Area, detonated the IED along the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway.

“After injuring himself while detonating the explosives, the suspect sought medical attention, and hospital staff recognised him.

“He was immediately arrested and is receiving treatment for serious injuries.”

Iringe-Koko alleged that Josiah was involved in a series of armed robberies in Rivers between 2012 and 2016, including major bank heists orchestrated by Daniel Gogo, also known as Full Payment.

She added that police detectives are actively following up on leads to find Josiah’s accomplices and those who sponsored the explosion.

“Previously elusive, Josiah has been identified as the dynamite expert of the robbery gang and a member of the Vikings Confraternity,” she said.

“He has confessed to detonating the dynamite at the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway.”

The police also provided details of the bombing at the Action Peoples Party (APP) secretariat in Port Harcourt.

The spokesperson noted that two individuals planted and detonated the IED around 1am on August 5.

She added that the command has stepped up efforts to track down those responsible for the attack.

“Investigations revealed that the suspects exited a car, walked to the building, ignited the device, and threw it at the secretariat before driving off,” she added. 

“Our Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) squad later identified a crater in front of the building where the device was placed, causing shockwaves and damaging the building.

“No casualties were reported, and forensic analysis is being conducted on samples of the IED residue.”