JTF arrests 25-yr-old key suspect in killing of 11 policemen in Bayelsa

[Mirror]

I didn't intend to kill the policemen -Suspect

Operatives of the Joint Task Force have arrested an ex-militant, Jackson Fabouwei, also known as Gen. Jasper, who allegedly masterminded the killing of 11 policemen along Lobia creek in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on April 5.

Fabouwei, 25,was arrested last Thursday along Ikebiri, also in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, after a long surveillance and manhunt by JTF and other security agencies.

Commander of JTF, Maj.Gen. Bata Debiro, made this known to newsmen yesterday in Yenagoa while parading the suspect. He said the arrest of the kingpin was achieved through sound intelligence gathering efforts men of the JTF and other security agencies.

Fabouwei, who was paraded at the Sector 2 headquarters of JTF in handcuffs and shackles, sported a battered face. Debiro, who was represented by the Chief of Staff of JTF, said security agencies had been working seriously since the killings to track down the suspects and bring them to justice.

The 11 cops who were travelling to Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state to mount security at the burial ceremony of the mother of an ex-militant leader, Gen. Young Shall Grow, were ambushed and killed by seven suspected gunmen .

One of the policemen, who is of Ijaw stock, was kidnapped and taken away by the ex-militants. He was, however, released after a week.

It was learnt that the bodies of the policemen were burnt after they were killed by the ex-militants.

According to Debiro, "The JTF conducted series of operations around Lobia, Ukubie, Ezetu, Ekeni and Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area to hunt down these and other criminals.

This led to some of the destruction of some of their hideouts and recovery of some of their arsenals."

According to the JTF boss, their operations destabilised the criminals and put them on the run, while the deployment of troops in Azuzuama and Lobia made those areas untenable for the suspects.

The Commander said Fabouwei would be handed over to the police for further investigations and prosecution.

The suspect confessed to the crime, claiming that his colleagues pressurised him into killing the policemen.

"I didn't intend to kill the policemen," he said. Fabouwei, who claimed to be a surveillance contractor, said the ringleader of the gang, identified as Gen.Virus, has relocated to Port Harcourt, while five others are in Calabar.

The suspect said the attack was launched because Gen. Young Shall Grow had neglected them to suffer in spite of his affluence.

National Mirror