By Cajetan Mmuta
Police in Anambra State on Monday accused the vigilante groups of abusing the core foundation and responsibility of complementing the work of the police force by way of intelligence gathering and other functions of protection of lives and properties.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Echeng Eworo Echeng said the vigilantes have compromised their responsibility, pointing out that the force was “looking into ways of setting up a new body that would stand the test of time in community policing and guaranteed security of lives and property of citizens.”

Echenge stated this during a press conference at the command headquarters in Awka.

Speaking on the circumstances surrounding the death of Hon Okechukwu Okoye, the lawmaker representing Aguata constituency 11, and his aide Mr. Cyril Chiegboka, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on 15th May 2022 at Oraefi in Aguata local government area, he said that a relation of the late legislator had reported the incident to the police at Ekwuluobia.

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He described the perpetrators as “cowards,” adding, “All they do is exploit roads that are not in use. We will make the state uncomfortable for anybody who wants to come here to come to make trouble.”

He said the command condemned “the barbaric act by savages pretending to be fighting on behalf of the people.”

He also dismissed insinuations in some quarters that Hon. Okoye’s death was the handwork of alleged assassins and politically masterminded even as he expressed worry over cross border crime between Anambra and Imo as acting on the spread of activities of Gunmen in the state.

On alleged payment of N10m ransom by the state government to the kidnappers, he said “To the best of our knowledge, we are not aware that demands for ransom were made and we are not aware that ransom was paid.”

Echeng pointed out that, “Indeed, the police, other security agencies and defenceless civilians have been at the receiving of similar gruesome attacks in the past but these enemies of society and progress.”

“Police operatives accompanied him to the scene and found the claim to be true. The headless body was recovered for preservation and autopsy.”

He explained further that “later same day, information was received that the head of the lawmaker was seen at Amichi in Nnewi South local government area which in recent times has been the epicenter of attacks by unknown gunmen on security forces, vigilante groups and defenceless civilians.

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“Again, police personnel mobilized to the scene and recovered the severed head of the law lawmaker.”

He added that “the body of Cyril Chiegboka, aide to Hon. Okechukwu Okoye who was also murdered in cold blood by his abductors, had been recovered. All leads so far gathered are being explored with a view to bringing perpetrators of this senseless crime to justice.”

The Commissioner of police vowed that the state police command would “work in concert with sister security agencies to ensure that the mastermind and foot soldiers responsible for this heinous crime against the society are speedily brought to justice.”

“No stone will be left unturned until purveyors of violence are totally eradicated to make Anambra state safe for growth and development.”