As Command arrests 13 suspects, recovers IED, Explosives, 18 Rifles
By Okey Maduforo
Ahead of the planned nationwide protests between August 1st to 10th, the Anambra State Police Commissioner, Nnaghe Obono Itam has described the protesters as faceless, warning that the Command would resist any attempt to destroy public property and harassment of non protesters.
This is coming as the Command recovers Improvised Explosive Devices, seven hand explosives capable of destroying buildings within 3 miles radius from suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB and Eastern Security Network ESN.
The Command also recovered 18 Rifles three locally made pistols and arrested 13 suspected Kidnappers and armed robbers in the last two weeks.
On the nation wide protest CP Itam stated that if the protesters are genuine they would have by now made themselves known and make public the routes that they would follow in carrying out the protest.
“We are not unaware of the planned Nation Wide protests between August 1st to 10th and it is important to recall the effects of protests that swept across the Arab Spring and we do not want that to happen”
“Yes we as Police are aware of our responsibilities to regulate public assemblies and peaceful protests and those that want to protest has the right to do so in a peaceful manner and we cannot deny anyone the right to protest “
“Our job is to make sure that those that are not protesting are not harassed or molested or roads blocked “
“We will play our part to protect those who are organizing peaceful protests and they should come forward to identify themselves and also identify the areas and routes that they are going to carry out the protests “
“But so far they have not come up to us and that is why we said that they are faceless people and we will not accept the claim that the protests were hijacked by hoodlums because they have failed to identify themselves ” he said.
Parading the 13 Suspects CP Itam said that;
“All of us in the police and other sister organizations are aware of the enormity of the trust bestowed on us as security operatives to protect lives and property and we are not shying away from those responsibilities “
“We recovered an Improvised Explosive Devices, seven hand explosives capable of destroying buildings within 3 miles radius as well as 18 Rifles and seven locally made pistols “
“The explosives were recovered from members of IPOB and ESN along Aguata – Umunze areas where they operate and these other suspects are armed robbers, kidnappers who have been terrorizing Nimo in Njikoka local government area as well as Obosi in Idemili North local government area while some operate from Asaba in Delta state “
On the report of six persons kidnapped around the Dubai Estate CP Itam explained that;
“As we speak there has not been any report at any Police station in the state by any victim of Kidnapping by Fulani Herdsmen “
“Most of these reports from the Social Media have not been verified and despite that we are on top of investigations to know the source of the viral report on the alleged kidnap by suspected Fulani Herdsmen and in due time we shall make it public”, he said.
