Bayelsa State Vigilante Service (BSVS) has arrested a suspected notorious criminal, Austin Jephthah, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
The suspect, popularly known as Tarzan, hails from Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
He is an alleged member of the Bobos cult group in Yenagoa.
It was gathered that Tarzan was arrested while robbing a commuter at the popular Tombia-Edepie roundabout in Yenagoa metropolis.
It was also gathered that his accomplice, identified simply as Tonero, who weilded a gun, managed to escape when they were chased by men of the vigilance group after they had robbed a passenger inside a tricycle.
The suspect and his accomplice, Tonero, were said to have boarded a commercial tricycle at Tinacious junction, heading towards Tombia roundabout.
It was further learnt that the tricycle had a male passenger inside already, and that immediately the tricycle moved, the suspect and his accomplice held the passenger at gun point and asked him to submit all his belongings.
It was gathered that they succeeded in stealing the passenger’s phone and cash, but luck ran out on them when they ordered the tricycle rider to stop but he refused and drove them into the hands of operatives of the State Vigilante stationed at Tombia roundabout.
The tricycle driver was said to have jumped out after parking the tricycle and raised the alarm which drew the attention of the vigilante operatives.
The operatives were said to have responded swiftly and chased the robbers who took to their heels to escape being apprehended.
However, one of the robbers armed with pistol managed to escape but Tarzan was not so lucky as he was caught after about a hundred metre distance.
He was said to have confessed to the crime and other criminal acts he had carried out in the state.
He also allegedly gave vivid details of how he had been terrorising Edepie – Agudama area of the state capital.
Drivers and commuters who recognized him, confirmed that he was part of those who rob innocent citizens with gun in broad daylight, especially travellers at the Tombia motor park and its environs.
The Chairman, Bayelsa State Vigilante Service (BSVS), Hon. Doubiye Alagba, handed the suspect over to the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command.
He revealed that Tarzan was already on the wanted list of the vigilante outfit.
He said: “There are too many complaints about Tarzan.
“The suspect is one of those criminals who have refused to change. He and his likes are some of the reasons the Bayelsa State Vigilante has decided to take over the Tombia-Edepie roundabout, Swali market and other strategic flashpoints in the state.
“We will continue to mount checkpoints on these strategic flashpoints for as long as these criminals refuse to change their ways and lead peaceful lives.
“I want to assure Bayelsans that our outfit is equal to that task and we will make sure that ‘Operation Keep the Flashpoints Safe’ reduces crime in the area and the state in general.”
