Rivers Police Kill Pirate Who Murdered Four NSCDC Operatives

The police in Rivers State have killed a notorious pirate, nicknamed John Togo, during a shootout with operatives in Borikiri in the old Port Harcourt township axis of the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, disclosed this during a news briefing at the force headquarters in Port Harcourt on Monday. Disu said Togo was responsible for many high-profile crimes along the waterways, including the killing of four personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps along the Bakana River in the Degema Local Government Area in 2023.

 “The Rivers State Police Command has successfully neutralised John Togo the Second, a notorious and high-profile criminal involved in sea piracy, kidnapping, and arms trafficking. “John Togo was a significant threat to coastal communities in Rivers State, particularly along Bonny-Port Harcourt, Okrika, and Andoni waterways. “John Togo, is the ‘Anchor Head’ of the Iceland Confraternity, he orchestrated a reign of terror, causing fear and devastation among residents and boat passengers. “One of the most brazen acts committed by John Togo was the ambush and subsequent murder of four members of a sister security agency (NSCDC) on the 1st of November 2023 along the Bakana River in Degema Local Government Area.”Disu said the miscreant and his men were planning to ambush security personnel patrolling the Bille-Degema-Okrika waterways with speedboats to seize their weapons before he was neutralised.

He added, “Throughout his criminal career, John Togo engaged in numerous shootouts with the Marine Police, Nigerian Army, and the NSCDC, displaying his utter disregard for law enforcement and public safety. “In one such encounter on the 17th of July 2023, Togo engaged security forces in a shootout, compelling them to abandon their gunboat. “Despite previous encounters with security forces, John Togo continued to elude capture. He targeted commercial boats, mercilessly killing drivers and throwing passengers into the sea as he stole the vessels. “The turning point came when John Togo abducted Precious George, the Youth Leader of Ibifara Polo, on the 30th of May 2023. After holding George captive for 12 days and receiving a ransom of N2.5m, Togo’s face was unveiled, setting the police on his trail. “Acting on credible intelligence, the Rivers State Police Command, in collaboration with the C4i intelligence unit and the Borikiri Police Division, launched an operation to apprehend Togo and his gang. “Cornered and outnumbered, Togo and his accomplices engaged in a firefight, resulting in Togo’s death and the recovery of his body.”Disu emphasised that the killing of the notorious pirate showed the commitment of the state police command to protect lives and property.

Source: Punch