By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old man named Baridapdo Igia of Kereken-Boue suspected for kidnapping and burying alive former CDC Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Praise Daakian.
The notorious leader of Iceland Cult Group and his partner in crime, Elvis Gordon, leader of Degbam Cult Group in the area, were also said to have murdered nine other innocent people between 2021 and 2023.
Baridapdo was also said to have allegedly collected a N200,000 ransom from his wife.
According to the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Tunji Disu, activities of the duo and their criminal gangs have forced residents of the area to desert the community.
“On the day of resumption, I had before me a security deficit in many areas of Rivers State. One of those areas was Khana Local Government, and we immediately deployed tactical units to quell the situation.
“Gentlemen of the press, after concluding intense surveillance on 15th November, in separate crack operations, men of the Anti-Cultism Unit arrested Baridapdo Igia, 33yrs ‘m’ and Elvis Gordon, 26yrs ‘m,’ two suspected Armed robbers and kidnappers in Kereken-Boue community of Khana Local Government Area.
“After a series of interrogations, the duo confessed to being leaders of Iceland and Degbam cult groups in Khana Local Government Area, respectively and have been terrorising Khana Local Government Area for the past three years. These cult groups have been known to have endless clashes in the community.
“During interrogations, they also admitted to kidnapping and burying alive one Praise Daakian, a former CDC Chairman in Khana Local Government Area. They murdered the victim after collecting the sum of NGN200,000 as part of payment for his ransom from the victim’s wife.
“The duo also confessed to murdering nine other victims from 2021 to 2023 and were the main reason for the partial evacuation of the community within the same period,” the CP said.
The CP said other arrested suspects include two armed-robbery/car snatching syndicate operators, as well as 3-man one chance keke operators.
Items recovered, he said include, AK-47 Rifle, three locally made pistols, live ammunition, loaded magazines and four cartridges, among others.
Also recovered are one sienna car with registration number Lagos GGE 349BE and a tricycle.