By Cajetan Mmuta
The police command in Anambra state on Monday explained the reason why they acted swiftly against the threats of vandals at the multi-billion naira International Cargo and Passenger Airport built by the immediate past Governor Willie Obiano at Umueri in the Anambra-East local government area of the state.
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Echeng Eworo Echeng in a statement issued to newsmen by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ikenga Tochukwu in Awka the state capital said that hoodlums have launched attacks on the facility by carting away armored cables laid around the airport complex.
He recalls that concerned residents had earlier reported activities of hoodlums who cart away electrical appliances along the road leading to the airport.
Echeng pointed out that, efforts were on by the command towards providing adequate securing within and around the airport.
He said operatives of the command acting on useful intelligence had arrested 13 suspects some of who included the vandals while others are at large.
According to the statement; “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Echeng Echeng, has stated that the ongoing effort to rid Anambra State of all manner of crimes and criminality is yielding enviable results.
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Echenge Echeng said that 13 suspects were nabbed for various offenses ranging from touting and illegal revenue collections, vandalism, and other related violent crimes across the State.
A suspect, Chimezie Nwankwo ‘m’ aged 34 years of Ezimunya village, Umunya was intercepted and arrested on 23rd March 2022, along airport road, Nteje. The police recovered from him: a HiAce bus, three hammers, two axes, and a police belt with which he, alongside two others still at large, terrorize citizens and steel armored cables installed around the Anambra State Airport.
The command explained that “Four of the suspects, namely: Emmanuel Igwe ‘M’, aged 20 years, Chukwudi Obasi ‘M’, aged 38 years, Izuchukwu Enemuwa ‘M’ aged 28 years, and Uchenna Benedict, ‘M’ aged 28 years* on 23/3/2022 were arrested along the Headbridge, Onitsha while touting and collecting revenue illegally from motorists and other members of the public.”
Similarly, “Ali Friday ‘m’ aged 28 years, of Dusogu Village, Awkuzu, Onuorah Chukwuemeka, ‘m’ aged 21years, of Eziama village, Igbariam, Igboegbunam Chiemelie, ‘m’ aged 20, of Amabor Village, Abba, Chinedu Chukwuobi ‘m’, aged 45 years of Imengu Village, Igbariam and Oforbuike Alegu, ‘m’ aged 27 years of Akpu Village, Abagana on 22/3/2022 were arrested for having vandalized armored cables and a car battery.”
Also, Chukwuemeka Anyanti ‘m’ 26 years, Chijoke Anyanti ‘M’ 22 years, Onyedika Anyanti ‘m’ 20 years, all natives of Nkwelle Village, Oyi LGA of Anambra State were arrested on 24/3/2022 for having one locally fabricated single barrel pistol and two live cartridges.”
The Commissioner of Police reiterated, the unwavering commitment of the Command towards weeding out all criminal elements in the state.
He enjoined all law-abiding citizens of the State to remain vigilant and continue to support the Command especially through prompt and accurate information.”
The PPRO in reaction said, “To put the record straight, the Command has been receiving complaints on stealing and vandalization of installed armored cables along the airport road. These connected cables provide light along the express road, especially at night.”
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He said, *This incident motivated the Command in going the extra mile in intelligence gathering and discreet investigation. In the past couple of days, the Police Operatives working in synergy with important stakeholders in the security sector arrested the hoodlums and they were paraded in other to discourage others who may want to embark on such to desist from it.”
“It is pertinent to state that the Command has been very active when it comes to responding to calls from journalists and media houses and as such it is expected that calls are supposed to be put through to either the Commissioner of Police or the Police public relations officer to get a clear confirmation of information before publication.”
The Commissioner of Police once again urges the media to understand the facts of the story and verify information from the Command to ensure that what is being published is authentic to avoid misleading the general public.
