Police weep over killing of members, burning of 11 stations, others

During the mayhem, two Divisional Police Officers DPOs in the state were killed, while an Inspector of Police was beheaded and his body burnt.

As a result, 17 suspects from Anambra, Abia and Ebonyi states have been arrested by the command in respect to the arson and killings, while some arms have equally been recovered.

Parading the suspects Wednesday at the Police headquarters in Amawbia, the Commissioner of Police, John Abang said the command was still in manhunt for the other fleeing suspects.

He said those who were involved in one way or the other during the mayhem in Anambra State must face the music.

According to Abang, “It is now common knowledge that hoodlums acting under the guise of “ENDSARS” protest attacked Police Stations in some parts of the State which resulted into loss of lives, looting and wanton destruction of properties.

“The hoodlums set ablaze eleven (11) Police Stations; burnt over twenty (20) vehicles including patrol & exhibit vehicles and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

“They also vandalized six (6) other Police Stations and carted away motorcycles kept as exhibits. The Police also lost some rifles during the attacks.

“In the course of these heinous acts, the hoodlums murdered four (4) Police officers including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Osumenyi Division, CSP Akpan Joseph, ASP Agu Micheal, the Station Officer (SO), Osumenyi Division and a young PC Udegbunam Sunday Celestine leaving two (2) others injured.

“In their state of callousness, the hoodlums also murdered and beheaded Insp John Oche attached to the Anti- Cult Unit and burnt his body to ashes parading the streets with the deceased policeman’s head.

“In addition to attacking Police formations, other Government and private facilities such as the Revenue House, Ocha Brigade office and private Trucks loaded with goods were attacked and valuable properties looted.

Despite concerted efforts by the hoodlums to create a state of lawlessness in the State, the Command stood its ground and repelled their attacks in various formations such as Area Command Onitsha, Ogidi, Awada, CPS Onitsha, Inland town and ‘B’ Divisions.

Meanwhile, in the course of the decisive action by the Police, the following suspects were arrested in connection with the incidents with several exhibits including one pump action,one Axe,three cutlass,one smoke grenade and some quantities of dry leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa.

“One (1) AK47 Rifle stolen from Ogbunike Division has been recovered by operatives of the Command.

He mentioned the suspects Matthew Vincent (29) Ebonyi State,Aguonu chinedu Victor ( 24) from Nnewi,Ezenagwu Ekene (32 ) from Awka ,Chukwuebuka Obianefo (36 ) from Ihiala and Okonkwo Stanley ( 37) from Abia State.

Others were, Obumneme Omezuluike (30) from Abia, Onyiuke Odinaka Izuchukwu (26 ) from Njikoka, Chukwuweike Enweozo (30) from Onitsha ,Chibuzo Otiaba (22 ) Njikoka and Ebuka Nkwoego (26) from Ebonyi.

Also, Emmanuel Okafor ( 21 ) Anambra East, Kelechi Onyekwere (34) Abia ,Onyeka Egbemadu (23 ) Ihiala ,Samson Okoli ( 23) Ihiala ,Ugochukwu Nwagboso ( 38 ) Ihiala Nwankpa Ejike (26 ) Ebonyi and, Nwankpa Izuchukwu from Ebonyi

Abang further said, that Investigation was ongoing adding that efforts were being intensified to apprehend other fleeing suspects in order to bring them to book.

However, he commended the patriotic Youths, Traditional and Community leaders, vigilance groups, sister agencies and residents of Anambra State who according to him, contributed immensely to the overall successes recorded by the Command in calming the situation

He said, “I want to reiterate my appreciation to his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Dr.) Willie M. Obiano for his invaluable support to the law enforcement agencies in the State.

“I also encourage the good people of Anambra State to be security conscious at all times; and report any strange behaviour or suspicious movements to the nearest Police Station.”