The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended Preye Josiah, the prime suspect in the June 25 dynamite explosion near Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt. Josiah, who was on the police “Wanted List” before the incident, is currently receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the blast.
Details of the Incident
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson, confirmed that Josiah, a 40-year-old from the Kabiama community in Sagbama Local Government Area, detonated the improvised explosive device (IED) along the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway. Following the explosion, Josiah sought medical treatment at a hospital where he was recognized and subsequently arrested.
Josiah is implicated in several armed robberies in the state from 2012 to 2016, including high-profile heists led by Daniel Gogo, alias “Full Payment.” He is identified as the dynamite expert of the robbery gang and a member of the Vikings Confraternity. Josiah has confessed to his role in the Port Harcourt explosion.
Ongoing Investigations
The police are actively pursuing leads to identify Josiah’s accomplices and sponsors involved in the explosion. In a related development, the police provided details about the August 5 bombing of the Action Peoples Party (APP) secretariat in Port Harcourt.
Iringe-Koko revealed that two men planted and detonated an IED at the APP secretariat, causing significant damage but no casualties. The Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) squad has collected residue samples for forensic analysis. The police have intensified efforts to apprehend those responsible for this attack.