Emmanuel Masha 
The Rivers State police command has disclosed that the arrested suspect whose mission failed to bomb Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt had been placed on a wanted list by the command.
The spokesperson of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko (SP) said that the explosion which occurred near Hotel Presidential on June 25 during a political march over the tenure of LG chairmen in Rivers was carried out by Preye Josiah, who had been on the command’s wanted list.
Iringe-Koko in a statement noted that Preye injured himself in the failed plot, and rushed to the hospital for medical attention, but was recognized by hospital staff who alerted the police of his presence in the hospital.
Iringe-Koko alleged that Josiah was involved in a series of armed robberies in Rivers between 2012 and 2016, including major bank heists orchestrated by Daniel Gogo, also known as Full Payment.
She disclosed that the suspect was a notorious armed robber who carried out a series of armed robberies in Rivers between 2012 and 2016, including major bank heists executed by Daniel Gogo, also known as Full Payment.
She added that police detectives are actively following up on leads to find Josiah’s accomplices and those who sponsored the explosion.
“Preye Josiah has been on our wanted list prior to the incident. Josiah, 40, from Kabiama community in Sagbama Local Government Area, detonated the IED along the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway.
“After injuring himself while detonating the explosives, the suspect sought medical attention, and hospital staff recognised him.He was immediately arrested and is receiving treatment for serious injuries.”
She added: “Previously elusive, Josiah has been identified as the dynamite expert of the robbery gang and a member of the Vikings Confraternity.
“He has confessed to detonating the dynamite at the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway.”
