DPO Arrested For Involvement In Ritualist Escape From Prison
RIVERS STATE – A Divisional Police Officer, DPO in Rivers State has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the escape of the suspected ritualist, Ifeanyi Dike who murdered an eight-year old.
The undisclosed DPO was apprehended on Monday on the orders of the State Police Command. According to a source inside the police force, was deeply involved in telephone calls between him and Johnbosco Okoroeze, a dismissed police sergeant, which indicated that there was a premeditated action by him to allow the suspected ritual killer to escape.
All evidence gathered indicated that the DPO connived with Okoroeze to help the ritualist escape. A report said while both the father of the deceased, Dr. Ernest Nmezuwuba, and the suspect (Dike) were about to write their statements, there consistent phone conversation between the said DPO and Okoreze.
Speaking to our correspondent, the reliable police source confirmed they have concrete evidence against the DPO.
“We have enough evidence to believe that the DPO was working hand in hand with the ex-sergeant, who has been remanded in police custody. The DPO has been arrested,” he said.
“Even the father of the girl that was killed had said that there was communication with the IPO (dismissed sergeant) handling the matter and somebody that has not been disclosed. This happened while they were bringing the suspected ritual killer to the State Police Headquarters.
“All these and many more will serve as evidence against the DPO, who we believe has a lot to explain about his possible involvement in the escape of Ifeanyi Dike, who killed an eight-year-old boy, ostensibly for money ritual.”
Ifeanyi Dike was apprehended for raping, killing and removing vital organs of an eight-year-old girl, Victory Chikamso, before escaping from police custody.
The father of the victim, Nmezuwuba, was present at the State Criminal Investigation Department when the suspected murderer and ritualist escaped from police custody.
Nmezuwuba was certain the suspected ritualist was able to escape because one of the policemen on duty on Saturday night identified as Johnbosco had unlocked the handcuffs for Dike to write his statement.
Recall that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State had alleged that the police were behind the upsurge in crime, especially kidnappings, in the country. Speaking at before participants at the Africa Bar Association annual conference held in the state the governor said the police should be held responsible for most of the crimes in the country.
Those who describe the SCID premises in Port Harcourt said it is not a place someone can walk in and out of with ease. You are thoroughly screened at the gates and cell phones are also not allowed within the premises. Neither are vehicles allowed to drive close to the building; you park at least fifty meters away.
The building is bounded on all sides by security structures. On one end is the Police Area Command and the Central Police Station. The SCID building has a high fence. So it would not have been easy for the suspected ritualist to scale it without help from someone/persons within the police force.
