••• Condemns Gruesome Attacks by “Unidentified Gunmen,”
By Kamsi Anayo
Anambra State Police Command has condemned the ongoing gruesome attacks by unidentified gunmen in the state and described as “barbaric act” by savages pretending to be fighting on behalf of the people.
Commissioner of Police, Echeng Eworo Echeng in Awka on Monday said that the Command stands with the governor, government and people of the state in this moment of grief and at all times over the murdered state lawmaker, late Hon. Okechukwu Okoye, his aide, Cyril Chiegboka and others who had lost their lives in the past.
He commiserated with the family and kinsmen of the lawmaker, the State Assembly and the Governor of the State, on the tragic incident.
“Indeed the police, other security agencies and defenceless civilians have been at the receiving end of similar gruesome attacks in the past by these enemies of society and progress,” he said.
He assured that the Command would work in concert with sister security agencies to ensure that the mastermind and foot soldiers responsible for this heinous crimes against the society are speedily brought to justice.
According to him, the Command appreciates the unequivocal stand of the Governor and the State Assembly on improving security and enhancing safety of the general populace.
“No stone will be left unturned until purveyors of violence are totally eradicated to make the state safe for growth and development.
“May souls of the departed citizens rest in perfect peace. Amen,” he said.
Narrating the efforts made to recover the late lawmaker’s corpse, Echeng said on May 21, a relation of late Okoye reported to the police in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA that he had reason to believe that a headless corpse allegedly lying along Nnobi – Ideani Road was that of the lawmaker who was abducted alongside his aide, Cyril Chiegboka on May 15 at Oraefi in Aguata LGA of the state.
“Police operatives accompanied him to the scene and found the claim to be true. The headless body was recovered for preservation and autopsy.
“Later same day information was received that the head of the lawmaker was seen at Amichi in Nnewi South Local Governemnt Area which in recent times has been the epicentre of attacks by unknown gunmen on security forces, Vigilante groups and defenceless civilians. Again Police personnel mobilised to scene and recovered the severed head of the lawmaker.
“The body of Cyril Chiegboka, aide to Hon. Okechukwu Okoye who was also murdered in cold blood by his abductors, has been recovered. All leads so far gathered are being explored with a view to bringing perpetrators of this senseless crime to justice,” Echeng said.
