Victor Ezeja
Spokesperson, Anambra State Police Command, DSP, Toochukwu Ikenga, has said the Command is investigating allegations of raid and brutality of Nnamdi Azikwe University students in Hostels at Ifite Awka, by operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS).
Recall that Public Relations Officer of the Students Union Government (SUG), Unizik, Comrade Ikechukwu Dikeojo, had in a statement released on Sunday, 22nd January 2023, alleged that operatives of SPACS unit of the police located at Enugwu Ukwu, invaded some students’ lodges, harassed the occupants and forcefully collected their phones, laptops, money and other valuables while searching for internet fraudsters.
The SUG PRO further accused the Police of arresting innocent students and detaining them and called on the Commissioner of Police in the state to call the officers to order.
Dikeojo threatened that if their demands were not met, they would embark on protest by blocking all major roads entering the town.
Reacting to the allegations of police brutality, the PPRO while responding to Prime Business Africa’s inquiry about the matter, said the command is investigating the incident.
Ikenga further stated that the Unizik SUG PRO, Dikeojo, has been invited to come to the Police Command headquarters, Awka on Monday, 23rd January 2023, with the victims of the alleged incident, but as at the time Prime Business Africa made the inquiry on Monday afternoon he was yet to honour the invitation.
Ikenga, however, gave the assurance that the Police would get to the root of the matter.
“We are investigating this allegation, the PRO of Students Union Government (SUG) is yet to honor Anambra State Police invitation to the Command headquarters, Awka. He was invited to come today 23rd January, 2023, by 10am along with the victims of the alleged incident but up till now, this 2:07pm we are still waiting.
“I can assure you the Police Command will get to the root of all this please,” DSP Ikenga responded through telephone text message.
Prior to the alleged Sunday incident, there have been incidents of armed robbery, vandalisation and raping of female students by criminals and cult gangs in the area.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelArmed robbers, numbering over 20, had reportedly invaded a hostel in the area and shot indiscriminately as they moved from room to room, robbing the students of their valuables and raping some female students.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Students Slam Police Over Raid On Unizik Hostels
In response to the ugly development, the police authority in the state had on Thursday, met with the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and representatives of the SUG to find a solution to the matter.
Ikenga says all the Police are doing is to ensure that the area remains safe for the students.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
