The Rivers State Police Command has announced plans to charge Preye Josiah, the prime suspect in the June 25, 2024, dynamite explosion near the Hotel Presidential area of Aba Road in Port Harcourt, to court.
The Command's spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed this in a statement issued on Sunday, August 18, in Port Harcourt.
Josiah, who hails from Sagbama Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, is a known member of the notorious cult group, the Vikings.
The statement indicated that Josiah has been on the police's wanted list for his involvement in multiple bank robberies in Bayelsa State.
The statement said: “Regarding the previous explosion that occurred along the Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway on June 25, 2024, the arrested suspect who sustained serious bodily injuries and has since been undergoing treatment, has been identified as Preye Josiah, alias Metusah, aged 40 years and a native of Kabiama Community of Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa State.
“Investigations revealed that Preye Josiah has been on the police’s wanted list for participating in some high-profile bank robberies led by one Daniel Gogo, alias Full Payment, between 2012 and 2016, where three AK-47 rifles, a Lar rifle, 360 rounds of live ammunition, 20 magazines, five dynamites, two pistols,” among others were recovered by the police.
“Preye, who was evasive to police arrest, was identified as the dynamite detonating expert of the gang.
“The suspect had also informed operatives of the command that the explosion was a result of a dynamite. He is a member of the Vikings Confraternity. Efforts are still ongoing to arrest others involved in the crime.
“Preye, who has undergone three major surgeries and has made a significant recovery, will soon be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction after the investigations are completed."
The statement added that the state Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, urged the public to be "vigilant when such cases of explosion occur and to steer clear of the vicinity, as there is a tendency of another device being present."
It also noted that Disu urged the public to use the dedicated police hotlines, already circulated, to report any explosions for a swift response.
It was recalled that Josiah suffered severe injuries, including the loss of a hand, after detonating a dynamite during a protest supporting the occupation of the 23 local government area secretariats.
He was reportedly taken to an undisclosed hospital, leading the state government to issue an alert, urging all medical facilities to watch for a man with such injuries from an explosive device.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, later confirmed that the suspect was located after the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt informed the government that he was in their intensive care unit.
