The Police Command in Rivers State has uncovered a criminal gang suspected of luring, murdering car-hire drivers, and stealing their vehicles.

The sinister activities of the gang came to light following the arrest of one of its members, Anthony Chima.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the arrest was made while investigating the disappearance of an Uber driver, Oghenevwarhe Barry Akpobome. In a statement released on Monday, Iringe-Koko revealed chilling details about the gang’s modus operandi.

“Under interrogation, Chima confessed to being recruited into a gang that specialised in luring taxi drivers into ambushes and stealing their vehicles,” the spokesperson stated. “The suspect said that he was introduced into the gang by his friend, Amfoh Abu, the group’s arms dealer, and another individual simply identified as ‘Reason.'”

Iringe-Koko added, “Investigation further revealed that ‘General Effizy,’ the gang’s leader, is a prominent figure in the Greenland cult and a seasoned kidnapper in the state.”

Chima, a 35-year-old graduate of Political Science from the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt, confessed to randomly obtaining Uber drivers’ phone numbers and posing as a passenger in need of a ride.

“On Jan. 10, Chima contacted Akpobome and directed the driver to pick him up at Reason’s residence,” Iringe-Koko stated. “Disguised as a passenger, Chima lured the unsuspecting Uber driver to a remote area in Aminigboko, where he met Reason and General Effizy along with four-armed gang members.”

The spokesperson revealed the gang’s gruesome actions, saying, “The driver was forcefully removed from the vehicle and taken to Effizy’s shrine, where he was tied up, gagged and gruesomely murdered.”

Iringe-Koko stated that Chima led the police to the shrine and Effizy’s residence, where personnel recovered Akpobome’s skull and a locally fabricated Beretta pistol.

While a manhunt has been launched to capture the fleeing gang members, Chima will face legal actions for his involvement in the criminal enterprise.

The Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Tunji Disu, has advised Uber drivers to be cautious while picking up or transporting passengers, particularly to remote or potentially dangerous areas.

“The Akpobome incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk in the shadows, and the importance of vigilance and cooperation with the law enforcement agencies,” Iringe-Koko said.