The Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, for setting up a special investigation panel to investigate the allegations against some senior police officers serving at the Zone 13 Command, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and the Anambra State Police Command.
Soludo urged members of the public to be patient while awaiting the outcome of the investigations which is expected soonest.
The governor also vowed to ensure justice if anyone is found culpable, adding that his administration has zero tolerance for criminality.
This follows allegations published by an online platform, identifying one CSP Patrick Agbazue, the officer-in-charge of the Rapid Response Squad in the command, as being a member of a syndicate involved in the alleged kidnapping, torture and murder of citizens.
The Public Relations Officer of Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo-Dunukofia, SP Nwode Nkeiruka, and Inspector Harrison Akama, who is attached to the RRS in the state, were also fingered, as well as a former governor of the state and a popular billionaire.
The governor’s reactions were contained in a press statement made available to journalists by his Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, on Sunday.
It stated that the governor had also requested the Attorney-General of Anambra State to immediately call for, and review all the files of cases on allegations of commission of offences created by the laws of the state, being handled by the said RRS.
The statement read, “The attention of the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been drawn to several media reports on alleged criminalities involving some police officers in Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo, Anambra State and the alleged human rights abuses by some officers of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, Anambra State Command respectively.
“Preliminary inquiry has revealed that the Inspector-General of Police has set up a special investigation panel to investigate the allegations at the end of which a report would be issued.
“Soludo commends the Inspector General of Police for that timely intervention. Consequently, it has become imperative in light of the above to await the outcome of the investigations which is expected soonest.
“Soludo wishes to assure the entire public that the government is closely monitoring the situation and would ensure that justice is done at the end of the day if anyone is found culpable.
“In the meantime, the governor has requested the Attorney General of Anambra State to immediately call for, and review all the files of cases on allegations of commission of offences created by the laws of our State, being handled by the said RRS.
“This will enable the attorney general to give such directions or take such necessary legal actions in line with section 211 of the Constitution and sections 148, 149 and 150 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State 2022.
“The governor, therefore, appeals to the people of Anambra State and the entire public to remain patient and allow the law to take its due course.
“Ndi Anambra should be rest assured that the administration of Soludo has zero tolerance for criminality and would always allow the rule of law to reign supreme at all times while justice must be given to those who deserve it.”