Abia State Command has confirmed the beheading of a member of the Abia State vigilante Service, and denies ‘Trial by Ordeal’ through juju.
In a Press statement by Maureen Chinaka, the Public Relation Officer, PPRO on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, the police said, “Yesterday 26/10/2023, at about 15:50 hrs, Abia State Police officers stationed at Osisioma Police Headquarters received credible information concerning an attack on a group of security personnel in Isiahia village, Umuojima, Osisioma. The attacked team included one policeman, one special constabulary personnel, and three vigilante men.
“Upon arrival, an unregistered Sienna bus and a headless corpse were discovered. Through investigation, the deceased was identified as Obinna Ndukwe, also known as Socket, who was a member of the Abia State vigilante and often collaborated with the police. The body of the deceased has been evacuated and deposited in the mortuary”.
Explaining further on a rumour that a police officer was also killed in the attack, the command said, “We would want to clarify that no police official was killed during the incident.
“Furthermore, our Officers successfully recovered the vehicle used by the hoodlums in the attack and efforts are underway to apprehend the perpetrators”, and urged all citizens to remain calm and security-conscious while going about their activities.
The command also debunked a video widely circulated showing that its Eziama Divisional Police Headquarters, Abs is involved in the use of shrine in getting suspects to confess.
The PPRO, Maureen Chinaka in another statement said, “The attention of the Abia State Police Command has been drawn to video clip depicting a scene, purported to be a shrine located within a Police Station, allegedly used by the police for investigations at Eziame Divisional Police Headquarters.
“We hereby state unequivocally that the allegation is false.
“The objects shown in the video, which were referred to as shrine/oracle, are actually exhibits recovered by the police after raiding criminal hideouts and dens in the bushes.
“The report contained in the video is at best a product of ignorance or intentional mischief. However, it is important to note that since the items no longer hold significant evidential/ judicial value, the command will follow established procedures and dispose the exhibits accordingly. This will prevent further misrepresentation, abuse, or mischief.
“Abia state Police Command therefore, uses this medium to urge the public to disregard the allegations contained in the video. The Command hereby assures the public that we shall continue to put in our level best towards enhancing the level of peace and security being experienced throughout Abia State”.
She urged everyone to refrain from sharing the video “as the information contained therein is untrue and the impression created by the video is false”.
