The Anambra State Police Command stated on Wednesday that they were not involved in the alleged cult-related killings in Awka, the State Capital.
The Police, through the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, made this known to journalists at the State Command’s Headquarters in Amawbia while reacting to a protest staged by the people of Awka Communities accusing two senior officers of the command of aiding the menace in Awka and its environs.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that indigenes from Ezina-ano (4 quarters), Umuoukpu (1 quarter), Ezi-Awka (7 quarters), Amikwo (5 quarters), and Agulu-Awka (7 quarters) that constitute the state capital staged a peaceful protest to demand the immediate removal of DC Akin Fakorode, in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (State-CID), and Inspector Monday Umana, who is also working in the department.
The spokesperson of the protesters, Hon Chief Richard Onourah, who addressed newsmen shortly after the protest, said they are protesting to let the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetoku, the state police Commissioner, Mr. Adeoye Aderemi, and the general public know about the atrocities the above-mentioned officers have committed in Awka and its environs.
He said that the protest was a peaceful demonstration to appeal to the police authority to replace the two officers with new personnel that have human sympathy with immediate effect.
According to him, the protest concerned the constant killings and other major crime waves here in Awka. “We are asking the IGP and Police Service Commission (PSC) to please remove DC Akin Fakorode and Inspector Umana because we, the elders and leaders of these protesting quarters, housing 20 villages that form Awka capital, observed that most of the unholy activities in this town are being aided by the two officers. They are the ones masterminding the acts.
“They also destabilize our local security outfit, known as ‘Blue Shed,’ established to get rid of criminalities in the city for their selfish interest.
“We are tired of burying our children. We want peace in our town. We are helpless; the Police authority should come to our rescue,” Chief Onourah appealed.
Reacting further, the PPRO denied the allegations, saying that the two officers in question cannot be involved in such acts, noting that they were part of the security operatives that returned peace to Awka metropolis.
He, however, while commending the people for the peaceful protest, assured that the Command under the leadership of CP Adeoye Aderemi would investigate all the allegations and come out with a report.
“The allegations will not demoralize our effort in protecting the lives and properties of NdiAnambra.
He said the Police would continue to work in partnership with other sister agencies, the State-owned Vigilante, Community/religion leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to sustain the peaceful atmosphere the state is currently breeding.
He noted that through the effort of the Police, stakeholders in many communities, including Ogidi and Obosi communities that were known for leadership tussle and a high rate of crimes, have been finally harmonized.
Ikenga also commended the media in the state for always balancing their reports, especially on issues like this.
The Nigerian Tribune also gathered that the protesters barricaded the old Enugu-Onitsha expressway for hours with various inscriptions such as; “DC Akin Fakorode must go,” “Anambra needs honest police officers,” “remove bad eggs from our Police,” “Akin Fakorode is a corrupt officer,” “Inspector Monday Umana is a criminal; he takes bribes,” “DC Akin Fakorode is causing insecurity in Awka,” among others.
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