Juliana Francis
The Anambra State Police Command has denied an online publication alleging that policemen in the command tortured a robbery suspect arrested in the Obosi area of the state to death and then granted bail to his partner in crime.
The Police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu described the publication as unprofessional, complaining that the reporter published without cross-checking the facts with the Police Command despite having unfettered access to such clarification.
Tochukwu said: “The Medium is establishing a pattern of deliberately falsifying narratives with a view to discrediting the Command for reasons best known to it. It was in a similar fashion it deliberately misquoted a statement made by the Commissioner of Police during his maiden press briefing which it never attended to whip up disaffection against the Command.
“In this instant case, the two robbery suspects were neither tortured nor handed to any vigilante group. On receiving the report of the arrest, the Commissioner of Police promptly ordered that they be taken to hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds sustained in the cause of arrest. Both suspects were taken to the hospital where one gave up the ghost overnight.
“Two days later the other suspect outwitted his Police Guard in the hospital and escaped. The Police Officer on that shift was arrested and detained. He is currently undergoing a disciplinary procedure that may result in dismissal.
“Members of the public are enjoined to discountenance the vile propaganda emanating from Sahara Reporters seeking to paint the Command black. They are reassured of the Command’s commitment to protecting the lives and Property of all in Anambra State.”
