4 suspects arrested in connection with police and yahoo boys clash in Delta

By Ovasa Ogaga,

Police in Ughelli Command has arrested four suspects allegedly involved in the Monday night clash between some youths suspected to be internet fraudsters (Yahoo Boys) and a team of policemen from the Area Command.

 

The clash caused an uproar in the Otovwodo area of Ughelli town as protesting youths setting bonfire and barricading the major road in protest over what they themed police brutality and harassment.

Attempts by the angry youths to set ablaze a police bulletproof Hilux van was resisted by a team of police who fired sporadically to dispel the rampaging youth.

 

According to an eye-witnesses account, there was heightened tension when the police team accosted some boys who were in a car on allegations of them being internet fraudsters.

 

A commercial motorcycle operator who identified himself as Charles Umukoro said the policemen had demanded for the key of the car, an order the boys refused leading to the police shooting of the tyre of the car.

 

According to him; “This led to an uprising in the area with other youths setting up bonfires and shooting at the police while attempting to burn a police Hilux van that was sent to restore calm to the area.”

 

Though efforts to speak with the State Police Public Relations Officer, Onome Onowakpoyeya were unsuccessful as at press time, however, a police source confirmed the clash, saying that a police van was damaged during the impasse.

 

“The hoodlums had used a battle axe and other dangerous items to smash the windscreen of a bulletproof police Hilux van. Four persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.”