Police to take action against DPO and two others over missing suspect

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnanna Ama, has ordered immediate queries for the divisional police officer (DPO) at 3-3 Police Station and a deputy superintendent of police. This is due to their failure to explain where an arrested crime suspect went.

Mr Ama issued the order on Monday. The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, shared this information in a statement on Tuesday.

Ikenga, who is a superintendent of police, said Mr Ama took this step after talking with an unnamed complainant and the police officers involved. This discussion followed a viral video that claimed an armed robbery suspect, who had been arrested and brought to the station, could not be found.

The police chief also called for immediate disciplinary actions against a police inspector linked to this issue.

Mr Ama described the allegations as serious. He said they could hurt public trust in the police. He emphasized that the command would not allow any unprofessional behavior, neglect of duty, abuse of power, or violation of established procedures by any officer.

The Viral Video

PREMIUM TIMES got hold of the viral video showing residents talking about what happened. In the video, people said that in late September, over 18 armed robbers attacked their neighborhood at 2 a.m. in Trans Nkisi Area of Onitsha. They took several valuable items worth millions of naira, including laptops and phones.

Residents mentioned that some local vigilantes caught one of the robbers and handed him over to the police at the 3-3 Police Station. One resident, Chinonso Chukwudi, said that the robber wanted to show the police where he and his gang sold stolen items.

Chukwudi claimed that the police threatened to let the suspect go if the residents did not pay N100,000. This was even after the tenants offered a vehicle to take the police and the suspect to the location.

“They said the N100,000 was a mobilisation fee. We thought it was a joke. When we came back, they claimed the criminal had disappeared from their station,” Mr Chukwudi said.

Investigation

According to the police statement, Mr Ama has instructed the X-Squad to thoroughly investigate the arrest, detention, documentation, and disappearance of the suspect.

The commissioner wants the investigation to find out what the involved officers did and what their responsibilities were. He also assured the public that steps are being taken to re-arrest the suspect. The command will inform the public about the investigation's results once they are available.

Mr Ama warned the public against spreading unverified information that could harm the ongoing investigation. He said facts must come out through proper processes.

He also reminded everyone that accountability is key in the command's leadership approach and that no police officer is above scrutiny or the disciplinary process.