The prime suspect behind the June 25 dynamite explosion at the Rivers State-owned Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt has been arrested, authorities confirmed. The suspect, identified as Preye Josiah, had been on the police’s wanted list long before the incident.
The explosion occurred during a protest against the tenure of local government chairpersons, sending shockwaves through the area. According to a statement released by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, “Preye Josiah has been on our wanted list prior to the incident.”
After detonating the explosives, Josiah, 40, sustained injuries and sought medical attention. His visit to the hospital proved to be his undoing, as medical staff recognized him and alerted the authorities. “Josiah, from the Kabiama community in Sagbama Local Government Area, detonated the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway. He was immediately arrested after the explosion and is currently receiving treatment for serious injuries,” Ms. Iringe-Koko explained.
The suspect’s criminal record dates back to 2012, with police accusing him of involvement in multiple armed robberies across Rivers State. His alleged crimes include a series of high-profile bank heists, orchestrated by another notorious criminal, Daniel Gogo, alias ‘Full Payment.’ Josiah, previously elusive, has now been identified as the dynamite expert for the gang and is also said to be a member of the Vikings Confraternity. Ms. Iringe-Koko further revealed, “He has confessed to detonating the dynamite at the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway.”
The police are now focusing on tracking down Josiah’s accomplices and the sponsors behind the Hotel Presidential explosion. “Our detectives are following strong leads to identify and apprehend those connected to this attack,” Ms. Iringe-Koko stated.
In a related development, the Rivers State Police Command has also provided updates on another incident involving an IED explosion. On August 5, the Action Peoples Party (APP) secretariat in GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt, was targeted. According to the police, two men planted and detonated an IED around 1:00 a.m. that day.
“Investigation revealed that the suspects exited a car, walked to the building, ignited the device, and threw it at the secretariat before driving off. Our Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squad later identified a crater in front of the building where the device was placed, causing shockwaves and damaging the structure,” Ms. Iringe-Koko detailed.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the APP secretariat bombing. The police have collected samples of the IED residue for forensic analysis and are intensifying efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
