THE Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP John Abang, has recounted loses recorded by the Police Command during the #EndSARS protest which was hijacked by hoodlums in the State.
Newsden reports that CP Abang spoke while parading some of the hoodlums arrested on Thursday in Awka, saying 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.
Giving a graphic details of what happened, he said; “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”, he added.
Continuing, he said, “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 those arrested to include; “Matthew Vincent ‘m’ aged 29 years of Izza North LGA of Ebonyi State, Aguonu chinedu Victor ‘m’ aged 24 years of Otolo Nnewi, Ezenagwu Ekene ‘m’ aged 32 years of Awka South LGA, Chukwuebuka Obianefo ‘m’ aged 36 years of Ihiala LGA, Okonkwo Stanley ‘m’ aged 37 years of Bende LGA of Abia State. Obumneme Omezuluike ‘m’ aged 30 years of Bende LGA of Abia State, Onyiuke Odinaka Izuchukwu ‘m’ aged 26 years of Njikoka LGA of Anambra State, Chukwuweike Enweozo ‘m’ aged 30 years of Onitsha North LGA, Chibuzo Otiaba ‘m’ aged 22 years of Njikoka LGA of Anambra State, Ebuka Nkwoego ‘m” aged 26 years of Ojenya Agbaja LGA of Ebonyi State.
Others are; “Emmanuel Okafor ‘m’ aged 21 years of Anambra East LGA, Kelechi Onyekwere ‘m’ aged 34 years of Osisioma North LGA of Abia State, Onyeka Egbemadu ‘m’ aged 23 years of Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, Samson Okoli ‘m’ aged 23 years of Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, Ugochukwu Nwagboso ‘m’ aged 38 years of Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, Nwankpa Ejike ‘m’ aged 26 years of Izza North LGA of Ebonyi State and, Nwankpa Izuchukwu ‘m’ aged 20 years of Izza North LGA of Ebonyi State.
He said that investigation is ongoing and efforts are being intensified to apprehend other fleeing suspects in order to bring them to book.
The Police Boss, however commended the patriotic Youths, Traditional Rulers, Community Leaders, Vigilante Groups and Residents of Anambra State who contributed immensely to the overall successes recorded by the Command in calming the situation and restoring normalcy in the State as well as robust inter agency collaboration.
“May I urge “Ndi Anambra” and my colleagues in other security agencies to sustain this level of cooperation at all times.
He also expressed thanks to the State Governor, Chief (Dr.) Willie M. Obiano for his invaluable support to the law enforcement agencies in the State.
The Police Commissioner also encouraged 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 or through the Command emergency number 07039194332 for prompt response.
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
